At the time the Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Philippian Church he was a prisoner in chains and condemned to the uncongenial companionship of warders and fellow prisoners. He probably felt that his work on earth was all but ended and that death itself was near. Yet in spite of all this his soul was concentrated on progress. He looked in three directions:
He did not of course mean that we should turn the past into a complete blank. He was thinking of the runner in a race who completely forgets the competitors behind him; his one and only concern is to reach the goal. Paul had a most eventful and illustrious past but he realized that to be preoccupied with it was to affect his progress spiritually.
Many Christians, alas, live in the past, their testimony is always concerning experience that is years old. Past experiences are useful as a means of instruction and as a cause for praise but we cannot live on past experiences.
So far from dwelling contentedly upon past attainments he endeavours to strain every nerve and muscle to gain new ground. Here is a veteran whose eye is not dim and whose natural force is unabated and who is as keen as ever.
Paul had the future so vividly before him that he was able to walk with patience among sorrows; with courage amidst dangers and with unquenchable hope amidst all his trials. Do we press forward or are we content with present attainments?
We should note his utter consecration, he strained at the leash. Everything else was deliberately put out of consideration; he concentrated his whole energy and did not slacken his pace. All his activity was directed into this one channel.
He had one overmastering passion to the exclusion of all other interests. He knew that there were depths of experience to be sounded and heights of attainment to be achieved. Paul never allowed himself to be side-tracked; he was a combination of rest and restlessness; of serenity and striving. Do we press toward the mark?
The epistle to the Hebrews urges us "let us go on..." Let this be our watchword throughout life.