“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, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14

“HELP, LORD, I’M STUCK!”

Some years ago, we were on a family vacation in Orange Beach, AL. We were having a great time! Then one morning when we got to the beach and, because of the crowd, I was having trouble finding a place to park. When I finally found a parking place, no sooner had I backed into the spot, I knew we were stuck. I had my wife get behind the wheel while my son and I pushed. After a few minutes, we were exhausted and realized there wasn’t any hope of getting out of that sandy bog we were in.

Still standing at the back of the vehicle dripping in sweat, my wife stuck her head out of the window and suggested, “Maybe we ought to pray!” I felt convicted and thought, “Yeah, maybe I ought to practice what I preach all the time!” I bowed my head and prayed, “Lord, forgive me for not asking sooner, but can you somehow help us out here?” I’ll never forget what happened! I kid you not! Almost immediately after I prayed, a truck out of nowhere stopped right in front of us. A guy jumped out and threw a rope on the ground in front of our SUV and said, “Tie it on and I’ll pull you right out.” And just moments later, we were unstuck and in a much better parking spot! WOW! I thought, “Why didn’t I pray sooner?”

STUCK IN LIFE?

It is one thing to get stuck in the sand, but quite another to get stuck in life. Truth be told, that is the case for many people. They are stuck in life. Could that be true of you? Have you gotten stuck in a sandy bottom, so to speak, unable to move forward because of adverse circumstances or failures of the past? Are you holding on to hurts from others or heartaches from days gone by? Do you find yourself longing for the “good old days” while the present days continue to march on without you? Over time being stuck in a bog is a very boring and useless place to be!

WHAT DO YOU DO?

What can be done when you are stuck in life? Mark it down: God takes no pleasure in a derailed, ditch-dwelling Christian, living in the past. In our verses for the day, Paul encourages us when he states, “. . . this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” The Lord wants you to forget what lies behind. He wants you to get back on track with Him, moving forward as a force for Jesus Christ.

Remember God is the Great I AM, not the Great I Was. And the Great I Am desires for you and me to live in the present, not the past. There is a call to every Christian to press on with the Lord in obedience and the power of the Holy Spirit. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow may never come. All we have is today. And God says to you today, “My child, walk with Me! Let Me shine like the sun through you as you yield yourself to Me. I have good works for you to do this day that will let people know I am real and alive in you!”

WHAT SAY YOU?

You don’t have to be stuck one more day. You can get your life out of the ditch as you take the hand of Jesus and begin pressing on with Him. Remember, He can, and is willing, to forgive all sin. He can make your trial a blessing by giving you “beauty for ashes” (Isaiah 61:3). He can work all things (good & bad) together for good. It happens to each of us, from time to time we get in a bog. The only question is, how long will you continue spinning your wheels in your own strength? He is waiting right now for you to call on His name.

A PRAYER THAT’LL PULL YOU OUT!

I don’t know to this day why I didn’t pray sooner in that bog at the beech. But here’s a prayer you can pray right now:

Dear God, I don’t want to live stuck in the past, feeling like my life has lost meaning and purpose. I want to press on with You! Forgive me, Lord, for wallowing in guilt, resentment, and self-pity! Thank You for the valleys and victories of days gone by. Let me learn from them … and move forward. Thank You that You have big plans for me this day! I choose to walk with You by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Think it over . . .

Doug Pierceis a Church planter and a pastor. In 2003 he started, and continues to pastor First Independent Methodist Church in Madison, Mississippi. His #1 priority is to glorify God in all aspects of ministry. He does this through teaching his congregation to Love God, Love One Another, and Love Others to God. Prayer, outreach, and church growth through evangelism are vital parts of his ministry. He and his wife Suzanne live in Madison, Mississippi where they also enjoy their children and grandchildren.

Feature Image Created  by Andy Oldham using DeepAi