forgetting what is ahead

This article was written to inmates at the Creek County Jail in 1996.

Maybe you remember that old story of the guy at the Alamo who drew a line in the dirt with his sword and told everyone who wanted to help set Texas free to cross over it and fight the Mexicans.

The apostle Paul, a prisoner himself at the time he wrote it, talked about such a line in life when he wrote: One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

You are at a line today and you need to step over it. You can either choose to stay on the side of the line you're on now and keep on getting in trouble.

In this life, you always run the risk of going back to jail or even prison. Your friends take advantage of you, you never have enough money and feel desperate for more, you are unhappy and so is everyone you know. No one loves you and you hate yourself and your life. Life is miserable.

Or you can do like Paul said, you can forget what is behind and strain on to what is ahead. Ahead is the grace of God and his help in living your life.

In this life, you know that there is Someone who loves you, that you are part of a group that will help you live right, there is forgiveness and purpose and meaning to what you do. Jail can be a distant memory of another life. God loves you and you can feel great about yourself and those around you. Life is great.

One of these lives is your in your future. You can choose which one if you will cross the line and accept the love of Jesus. All you have to do is ask him into your heart and accept his grace. He will change your life.