Time Stamps

• 00:00:00 - Welcome and introduction with Dan and Jan

• 00:02:00 - Talk begins: Forgetting what lies behind and pressing on

• 00:07:00 - The marathon analogy: What runners teach us about perseverance

• 00:13:00 - Why looking back can make you stumble in your spiritual journey\

• 00:17:00 - Finding your focus and surrendering control to Jesus

• 00:21:00 - Moving beyond disappointment and embracing God's purpose

• 00:24:00 - Conversation Street: Practical ways to let go of the past

Letting Go to Move Forward

Looking back can be a dangerous habit, not just in running, but in life.

As Pastor Dave Connolly showed us in his recent talk, when runners continually glance over their shoulders during a race, they're likely to stumble, slow down, or even crash into others. The same principle applies to our spiritual journey.

"Don't look back, look forward. Keep your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, regardless of what you're going through," Dave urged us. It's a powerful message drawn from Paul's words in Philippians 3: "forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead."

But what does it actually mean to "forget what lies behind"?

The Marathon of Faith

Dave's wife, Julie, runs marathons. Not casually – she's been at it for over a decade, training consistently regardless of weather, mood, or circumstances. Through her dedication, we glimpse what spiritual perseverance looks like.

Marathon runners don't wake up one day and decide to run 26 miles. They build endurance through disciplined training, nutrition, rest, and mental preparation. Even when injured, they don't abandon their identity as runners – they recover thoughtfully before resuming their journey.

Similarly, our faith journey isn't about instant transformation. It's about consistent, intentional movement toward Jesus, especially when life gets tough.

"I've been a Christian since I was 19," Dave shared. "I've seen God do some really amazing things in my life...amd I am thankful for what God has done, from where he's brought me through some really difficult times."

The Christian walk isn't easy. We take knocks, encounter difficulties, get hurt and broken by people around us – sometimes intentionally, sometimes accidentally. But God doesn't want us to get caught in our brokenness.

Active Forgetting vs. Passive Time

Our culture often says "time heals all wounds," suggesting a passive process where memories simply fade. But Paul describes something more intentional: actively choosing to let go while pressing forward.

It's not denial. As Dave clarified during Conversation Street: " I don't think it's a forgetting. I think it's letting go... You choose to let go. "

This active letting go often involves forgiveness. Last week, Sharon spoke about forgiveness, and during Conversation Street, she noted how "once I've forgiven from my heart, the hurt which was previously constantly on my mind becomes faint and more difficult to remember."

The hurt may still exist in your memory, but it no longer controls your thoughts or defines your identity. You've chosen to release its power over you.

Finding Focus in a Distracting World

One of the most challenging parts of letting go is the constant bombardment of competing messages. Dave highlighted how cultural mantras like "follow your heart," "be true to yourself," or "live your truth" directly contradict Jesus's teachings.

"Jesus never said follow your heart," Dave noted. "Scripture says the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure."

Instead, Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow him (Matthew 16:24). Our focus determines our direction. Like marathon runners who keep their eyes on the path ahead to avoid collisions, we must fix our gaze on Jesus to navigate life's complexities.

The Prize Before Us

Marathon runners don't just run for a medal. They run toward a finish line, toward the satisfaction of completing what they started. Similarly, Christians aren't just avoiding sin or earning merit badges – we're running toward Jesus himself.

"Get a hold of that finishing line," Dave encouraged. "I just envision him with his arms open... When Jesus was on that cross, his arms were spread wide open, inviting us to come, to welcome us."

This vision of Jesus waiting with open arms gives us something positive to move toward, not just something negative to move away from. We're not just leaving our past but embracing our future in Christ.

Practical Steps Forward

So, how do we practically "forget what lies behind" while pressing forward? During Conversation Street, the team offered several suggestions:

1. Actively choose forgiveness - When someone has hurt you, choose to release them from any debt you feel they owe, even if they never acknowledge their wrong.

2. Create space for communication - Don't bottle things up inside. Find trusted friends or mentors who can help you process pain in healthy ways.

3. Replace cultural messages with biblical truth - Identify worldly mantras that may keep you stuck and replace them with God's word.

4. Remember God's presence in the tunnel - When you're in dark seasons that seem endless, trust that the tunnel is leading somewhere. As Corrie ten Boom wisely said, "When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away your ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer."

5. Develop spiritual disciplines - Just as marathon runners train consistently, develop Bible reading and prayer habits that ground you regardless of feelings.

The Coach Who Believes in You

The most encouraging aspect of this race is that we don't run alone. Jesus isn't merely waiting at the finish line – he's our coach, cheering us on through every challenging mile.

"It's time to listen to your coach who's cheering you on, who's saying, 'I believe in you. I have spoken over you. I'm calling you. You can trust me,'" Dave reminded us.

When we stumble, when we're tempted to look back, when the path ahead seems impossible, our Coach is right there, believing in us even when we struggle to believe in ourselves.

Don't Save Anything for Later

As Dave concluded his talk, he observed how marathon runners look when crossing the finish line – exhausted, spent, having given everything they had. They're not saving their energy for some future race; they're fully committed to the one they're in.

"If you're a Christian, don't save anything," Dave challenged. "Go for it wholehearted. Heaven isn't the time to go for it – go for it now, with everything you've got, to cross that line."

Whatever you're facing today – disappointment, heartbreak, failure, or just a sense of being stuck – don't let your past define your future. Choose to let go. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Press on toward the goal.

He's waiting with open arms.

Are you struggling to let go of something from your past? We'd love to pray with you. Send us your prayer requests, or join us for our Google Meet after the livestreams. And don't miss next week's talk on anxiety as we continue our series on wholeness.