Following Jesus means letting go of our old ways and pressing forward to become more like Him. We have not arrived or become perfect, but we choose not to give up. Like Paul, we forget what is behind and reach toward what is ahead. The goal is to walk closely with Jesus and look forward to the prize of eternal life.
Each day, the focus should be on Christ. It is easy to let distractions like phones, entertainment, or busyness take over. But if we want to grow, we need to spend time with God, make space for quiet, and be willing to listen. A strong relationship with Jesus takes time, effort, and a heart that wants to know Him more.
Paul sets an example of living with purpose. He put his past behind him and made Jesus the center of his life. That same mindset helps us keep our thoughts on heaven and not just on things here on earth. Our citizenship is in heaven, and Jesus promises to change us and make us new. Until then, we press on, letting Him live in us and lead us every step of the way.