The Undistracted Widow | Chapter 16

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Stretching Forward

Philippians 3:13–14 KJV 1900
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
The words “reaching forth” means to exert effort or energy to the utmost and carries the idea of extending or reaching out to the full length. Thus, the topic of this chapter is stretching forward for those things which are before or in front us versus living in the past.

Getting Ready

What about you and me? What has God called us to now that our former call as godly wives is (at the present moment and perhaps for this life) no longer our calling? Do we have anything to stretch toward? Any goals to reach? Or are we simply going to squander the time we have? It’s tempting to do nothing because doing anything takes energy, something which you may very little of now. To counter the temptation, let’s turn to the Scriptures and find direction for the future.
The letter has much to say about the Christian life, but I want to pull out those things - some resolutions - that seem particularly helpful to widows as we face the future.
Of course, we won’t implement these resolutions perfectly or wholly consistently. But they provide a target, a goal - something to shoot for. Aim for nothing and you’ll get nothing; aim high and you will be pleasing to God.

Shifting Gears

On the gearshift of life, there is no reverse. The only choice is to go forward.
Living intentionally with Biblically based resolutions to guide us like a road map can be a useful way to counter spiritual inertia. We can enter into the future confident of reaching our destination.
What if you don’t want to go forward even after a lengthy period of time?
Enjoyment is becoming idolatrous when its loss ruins our trust in the goodness of God. - John Piper
Enjoyment is becoming idolatrous when its loss paralyzes us emotionally so that we can’t relate lovingly to other people. - John Piper
In order to stretch forward, we must leave the past behind and trust that what God has for us in the future will be fulfilling and enjoyable. It is vital to keep an eternal perspective on life or we will get lost in the details and not see the big picture.
2 Corinthians 4:16–18 KJV 1900
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
What makes life worth getting out of bed in the morning? It is the person of Christ and the work he had given us to do.
…the most effective way of drawing our minds away from someone or something we should not or cannot have is to offer to the mind something even more captivating. - Thomas Chalmers
Chalmer’s point is that we will go forward enthusiastically when we so love God that our love for him propels us onward and satisfies the depths of our soul.
Elisabeth Elliot is known for saying, “Do the next thing.” In your struggle to go forward, if you can do nothing else, at least do the next thing.
As you give up the past and move on serving Christ with enthusiasm, you will be able to look back on your new life with a sparkle in your eye. You will see the goodness and faithfulness of God as you walk with him and serve him.

Heaven Bound

The Christian life is lived in between what you already possess of eternal life - which is knowing God and Jesus Christ....
John 17:3 KJV 1900
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
…and the ultimate goal of seeing the Lord face-to-face in heaven.
1 John 3:2 KJV 1900
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Psalm 73:25–26 KJV 1900
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26 My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
If our principle motivation for wanting to go to heave is anything other than desiring to see the Lord Jesus Christ face-to-face, then there is something amiss in our longing to go there.
Hebrews 11:16 KJV 1900
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 12:22–24 KJV 1900
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
While it is quite right to look forward to seeing departed loved ones when we get to heaven, the person whom we should desire most to see is the Lord Jesus Christ.
When we get to heaven, we won’t need faith anymore. Faith will become sight. Heaven is his home, our home, and Christ has gone ahead to prepare a place for us.
John 14:1–3 KJV 1900
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
So get up each morning, meet with the Lord, and engage in fruitful labor for his kingdom. Before you know it, you and I will meet in heaven and rejoice over the splendor of the Lord.
2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 KJV 1900
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

Discussion Questions

What does the phrase "reaching forth" mean to you and how can you apply it to your life?
What are some resolutions or goals that you have set for yourself to help you move forward in life?
How do you handle difficult situations and keep yourself motivated to move forward?
How do you keep an eternal perspective on life and not get lost in the details?
What motivates you to keep going, even when things get tough?‌
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