Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 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 3:13b-14
I forgot the most important thing. It was the fall of 1976. My wife Judy and I were newlyweds and life was good. Oh, and for the record…smile…here we are 46 years later, and life is well…good. I got a call from my oldest brother Reggie who asked if I wanted to go squirrel hunting and could I find a place for us to go. I told him sure and a good friend who had a good place to go squirrel hunting said sure too. So, we picked a Saturday and set a time.
Since the really good place was east of Valdosta where Judy and I lived and since he lived in Jacksonville, we agreed to meet at the hunting place. So, I left early and he, having to drive even further, left earlier and at the appointed hour, we both arrived. I love it when a plan comes together. The sun was just about to say good morning when we got out of our cars. It turns out squirrels are early risers so the best time for hunting is early, and we were early. I love it when a plan comes together.
After a “good morning” and “how are you doing”, we both went to our cars to get our weapons. I recently learned from a friend that guns are not called guns they are either firearms or weapons. The Navy does the same thing with boats and ships. Anyway, as I got to my car and popped the trunk, I reached in to get my gun, weapon or firearm and…wait for it…it wasn’t there. At first, I thought in the dim light of dim I just wasn’t seeing it so I prodded and poked around and guess what? The hunter had forgotten the most important thing…his gun, weapon or firearm.
I was so embarrassed. My brother was one of those African safari kind of hunters. He had his hunting vest, his gun, weapon or firearm, a knife and on and on. He looked the part and there I stood with no gun, weapon, or firearm. I didn’t even have a knife. So, I told him apparently in the rush to be on time I had left the most important thing behind. We groaned, we moaned and then we laughed. After all, it was funny. So, with two hunters and one gun, weapon or firearm, off we went into the woods. And all morning, I followed quietly behind my brother as he shot squirrels and I watched.
You might be wondering exactly how does a guy who is going hunting forget the tool of the trade…the gun, weapon or firearm. Well, the best I can figure the answer probably has to do with priorities. You see, I can only imagine that I was running a little late that morning and at the moment being on time (which for the record is important) caused me to rush and leave my gun, weapon or firearm behind. In other words, the important took the place of the most important…the urgent overrode the most urgent. And, I have the feeling, it happens way too often.
All of us have things that are important and most of us have a most important thing. Paul, the guy who wrote a bunch of the New Testament said that there was one thing he did. In other words, this one is important, and do you know what it was? Forgetting the past and looking to the future. Now that is a good one. You see, he knew he had a past worth forgetting and a future worth grabbing ahold of and that was what made it important.
So, what is it in your life that you need to bump up to the top? Chances are it can’t be bought at a store or rented from Rent One. Chances are it involves those that you love the most and the ones who love you most. Don’t wait to figure this one out. Time is ticking by and there is not a minute to lose. If you find yourself at a loss, well, there is someone just waiting to help. He is really good at lending clarity for our priorities if we ask. To some He is just God but to others He is Dearest Daddy. Regardless, He loves you and is waiting to help you. No doubt about it…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 