Authentic Leaders Are Flawed
Learning to Forget – Part 1

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 6:1-3

Key Verse: Philippians 3:13

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead

Today’s lesson is about forgetting about your past failures and moving on in your walk with God.  That is not an easy task.  Between our own flesh and the devil’s evil ways of reminding us of our failures, we struggle to forget the past.

            The Apostle Paul adds this concept to the discussion of being an authentic leader.  He realized that he was flawed but knew that he couldn’t dwell on the failures that caused.  He worked at this process of moving failures out of the “front seat” of our memories and into the “trunk”!  I use those phrases to acknowledge that we are seldom able to truly forget things we’ve done that cause us shame, but we can exercise mental self-control in order to diminish their negative effect on our lives!

            Our title for today’s devotional is “Learning to Forget.”  It is important that all of us take note:  This is a learning exercise.  That means it takes effort and patience on our part.  We must spot the thoughts that are shaming us and demand of ourselves that we no longer meditate on that thought.  Our God-given brains have the power to do that, if you will choose to try.  For example, get a mental picture of your mother’s face.  Now put your mother in an airplane.  As you can see, you just exercised your mental ability to think about what I suggested.  You can suggest (demand) that your brain think about the future rather than the past.

Father, I will use the ability you have given me to put my past failures out of my mind and strive to live a positive life today!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.