Going Backwards

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:14, NLT)

Today, I went to Hokulani Bakery at Restaurant Row to pick up an order of cupcakes in celebration of a friend's birthday. They are an excellent bakery by the way! (www.hokulanibakeshop.com) If you are in Honolulu, you will want to make them one of your stops. This blog post isn't about cupcakes, but aren't they so lovely?!

They taste better than they look! We will just leave those right there for now.

A lot of the parking in Honolulu is garage (high rise) parking. Most of the driving in a high rise is one way. As I was leaving the parking area, the exit was about five feet behind me so I had to drive forward from level A to level D to find an exit. I wanted to back up the five feet where the  nearest exit was; however, that would be illegal backing. So I "bit the bullet" and drove forward as all the signs indicated.

I don't like taking the long way around. I don't like "going backwards". I like to set my sights ahead and move on. But in this case, I couldn't. I had to drive up the three extra levels in order to reach my goal which was to find the exit.

Thank God we don't have to "go backwards" with Him! We press on and go forward! We don't have to look behind or even have "behind thinking"! Nope, His Word tells us to forget the former things and press on to what lies ahead! (Philippians 3:13)

How about you? Been going backwards? Been taking the long way around? Well, forget that and press on!

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for every reader today. I pray Philippians 3:13 and 14 be illuminated in their hearts on a deeper level. I pray they walk fully in Philippians 3:13 and 14 right now in the name of Jesus! Past mistakes, whether things were said and/or done, will no longer be in the forefront of their minds because they forget and press on! (Psalm 19:14, Philippians 4:8)

Human Nature

From time to time, I ask friends and family to write a blog post. Enjoy today's post from my dear friend, Kristin Hoover. Mahalo Nui Loa Kristin!

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14, NLT)

I do not claim to be a Sociologist. In fact, the only lasting impression from my university Sociology class, was the numerous pair of cute boots my professor would wear. However, after being a stay at home, mom of five children, I have noticed a few things about human nature.

My #5 just turned six months old. He is sitting up and playing with toys, and putting every thing in his mouth....yes, even Baby Jesus from our Fisher Price plastic nativity. Just like his other siblings, at first he is excited when surrounded by toys, but soon grows weary of same toys. However, if you put the same toy on the outer limits of his reach, the fun no longer is in the toy itself, but in reaching and refining abilities to obtain what catches his eye. This, I believe, is a critical point that pushes development onward to mobility.

If extrapolated, the desire for reaching beyond our comfortable zone to obtain something deemed as better, seems to me, the same motivation that fuels our capitalist society. Some may consider it greed, or discontentment, but in observing, it seems more along the lines of ambition and the push to excel.

In practical application, when this child becomes older, if everything is just handed to him, perhaps he will lose interest in the push for refining skills in obtaining his full potential. Mirroring our capitalist society, a parent should help a child refine their skills, work hard, and enjoy the reward of their labor.

Stretching. Reaching. Refining. Becoming. Finding our full potential in Him.

Kristin Hoover