Forgetting and Reaching

Forgetting those things that are behind -
The past should not the future bind,
For all the failure, sin and loss
Are covered by the Blood of the Cross.
Christ died to set out spirits free
And purchase perfect liberty.
His power has broken Satan's chain -
Through grace we now can live again!

Praise God, we did His mercy find:
We WILL forget what is behind,
For He has promised He will cast
Behind His back our wicked past.
No more remembering our guilt
For which the Saviour's Blood was spilt.
Therefore, with faith in Jesus's Name
No more we'll cower in doubt and shame.

But this one thing we'll surely do,
Trusting in His Word so true,
We will reach out toward the prize
Which God has placed before our eyes.
With Jesus Christ who sets the pace,
Straining forward in this race,
With every effort we will press
Toward the goal of Christlikeness.

But while forgetting what is behind,
Some things we still must keep in mind;
Remembering the lessons learned,
And good things that should not be spurned,
Our feeble strength is not enough
To keep us straight when things get tough
We have to daily learn to depend
On Christ to help us to the end.

This race is not a great contest
To find out which one is the best.
Christ's followers should not compete;
The Church, His Body, is complete,
But every member is unique;
Our own function we must seek
As individuals we live
With different talents each to give.

Some may run quite strong and fast
While others reach the goal the last.
But only God can truly tell;
He knows if we are running well,
And all who seek to win the prize
Must not watch others, but keep their eyes
On Christ who has already won
As He urges us on and says: "Well Done!"

Honoria A. Groves