Missional: Yearbook

by Ben Williams

I went to high school at Evangelical Christian School in Cordova, TN (ECS). The other day, I pulled out the ole' yearbook because I figured it has been now close to 7 years since I graduated high-school, and it seems to be a good time to reminisce. I was super skinny back in those days so I don't like showing others my yearbook mainly to avoid people looking at me with disdain saying,"what happened to you?" as if I had indulged 20 something honey-buns a day since graduation. I just recently had to get another driver's license picture because I was 16 in the last photo, and no one believed it was actually me which spells trouble each time I was ID'd for a credit card purchase or trying to get into Buffalo Wild Wings after 11pm on weekends. I was tired of the weird looks...

Plus, I was a weird guy in junior high/high school anyways. I was saved by Jesus at 16, but didn't cease to be a complete "nut-job" who passionately wanted to be a rockstar for Jesus that went to a preppy school where we had to wear golf shirts tucked in to our Sunday-pants when what I really wanted to wear was tight muscle shirts with gothic-design pajama pants and put highlights in my hair thinking I looked like the lead singer of the Goo Goo Dolls. (I did all of these BTW) It was a fun but dorky part of my life BUT I began loving Jesus, so my regrets are minimal.

All this is to say that Paul wrote this:
¹³Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)

If anything, when we look at our past, we should have smiles on our faces, and laugh as hysterically as ever BECAUSE we have matured (at least somewhat). God wants us to not sit in regret over our past sins, failures and ultimate dorkiness. He doesn't even desire that we look at our past achievements and gloat thinking, "those were the days." When we do reminisce, understand that it is in the past! Good or bad - it doesn't matter. There are people that feel so dirty, ashamed and unforgiven that all they do is associate themselves with past failures which becomes their identity. And there are those that think they have already accomplished their best and they relish in their past. They are convinced that their "peak" was reached years prior.

As believers, we must press on FORWARD.
What does this mean?
Grow.
Grow in what?
Knowledge and Understanding of Jesus Christ in relationship with Him, partaking of His death, burial, and resurrection on a daily and missional basis.

Here is a BIG problem today:
Christians think back.......and see "better, closer, motivated, and excited," concerning their relationship with Jesus.

If you look at your past, and you feel like you've lost spiritual ground...
If you look at your past, and you knew more about Him back then than you do now...
If you look at your past, and you don't see any progression spiritually...

Instead of finding your righteousness and identity in Christ, you have abandoned growth, and you have made yourself "your past."

"Your past" is who you are, and that is unbiblical for believers.

Paul, by the Holy Spirit, says to forget about past sins, failures, and accomplishments AND press forward.

This means discipline yourself in sanctification. Grow. Mature. Allow Jesus to live through you daily. Get involved in ministry. Plug in. Don't be a slug that is unfruitful for the Kingdom.

Jesus desires us to persevere. Those that truly love Jesus will persevere.

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To all those that are struggling with their past: Grow forward.

To all my high school peers: hi. (miss and love you all)