Philippians 3 v 12-21

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, 14 I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.

15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

(NIV)

No Looking Back

Look up,
Look up, and keep your eyes on me.

Easier to hide.
To cover my face.
Look back.

Behind me is pain.
Familiar agony;
Cold, comforting sorrow.

We must go forward.
Take my hand, and trust me.

Easier to hide.
To stand firm on earth.
Look down.

Can’t see beyond You,
Can’t see what’s ahead.
Not enough faith.

That’s OK.
Lean my way, and follow me.

Easier to hide.
To stay put right here,
Look scared.

Yet every day a new choice
Is offered.
Whose way, to follow.

Today –
Shaking, and uncertain,
I step forward, following Christ.

……

8th January, 2014
Stanton House, Oxfordshire