Yesterday I had the privilege to be part of a grand party. A close friend, sister in Christ, a spiritual daughter is getting married and we started the celebration yesterday with a bridal shower.

Her faithfulness to God has been amazing. She’s waited. She’s served. She’s gone. She’s done all that God has asked her to do. But God’s faithfulness is even greater and in His perfect timing, has brought a wonderful, godly man into her life.

Yesterday was a great day. I’m not the only one who has fond thoughts of yesterday. There have been plenty of musicians whose songs have included thoughts of what was.

Paul McCartney with the Beatles sang of “Yesterday.” Karen Carpenter wished for “Yesterday, Once More.” Mary Mary also sang of “Yesterday.” However, Chad and Jeremy realized that “Yesterday’s Gone.”

While I’ve had some pretty wonderful yesterdays and there are many yesterday’s I’d like to forget. Especially the ones where I’ve sinned against God. Those yesterday’s seem to be the ones I remember the most.

The Apostle Paul knew how heart wrenching “yesterday” could be. The yesterdays before he met Jesus were filled with unspeakable sins against the very One he preached of until his death.

Paul speaks of his yesterdays in his letter to the Philippians Church. His words allow for me to forget my past and look forward to something far greater than I could imagine.

“But 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.” (Philippians 3:13b-14 – NIV)

I can forget all of my yesterday’s where sin seemed more important than God. Once I ask God to forgive my sinful acts, they are forgotten by God. His grace and mercy cover me and I’m a beautiful daughter of God.

I too, must strive for the goal mentioned by Paul. Pressing on toward the prize. Striving day after day to be Christ-like and forgetting what my yesterday’s looked like.

Thankfully our lives are not filled with only yesterday. There is today to do our best to serve the Lord and we have a bright future in tomorrow.

You see, yesterday was the beginning for my dear friend and her beloved. The bridal shower is the precursor to the wedding, the main event. In a month, they will be joined in wedded bliss. Their future is ahead of them. Their tomorrow’s are yet to be lived. And what excitement and joy they experience because of what tomorrow holds.

It’s the same with our spiritual lives. Yesterday we blew it. Today we have the opportunity to live better. But tomorrow holds great promise.

There’s one more song I’d like to share with you. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find a version for you to listen to, but the words are wonderful without music. Read through these words and I’ll meet you on the other side.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Yesterday He died for me, yesterday, yesterday.
Yesterday, He died for me, yesterday.
Yesterday He died for me, died for me.
This is history.

Today He lives for me, today, today.
Today He lives for me, today.
Today He lives for me, lives for me.
This is victory.

Tomorrow He comes for me, He comes, He comes.
Tomorrow He comes for me, He comes.
Tomorrow He comes for me, comes for me.
This is mystery.

O friend do you know Him, know Him, know Him?
O friend do you know Him, know Him?
O friend do you know Him, do you know Him?
Jesus Christ the Lord, Jesus Christ the Lord.
Jesus Christ the Lord[i].

Do you? If not, let me share the possibility of a beautiful future with you. He can take all of your tomorrows and turn them into something beautiful. He will create beauty from ashes. Is that what you’re looking for?

For those of us who are followers of Christ, let’s forget our yesterdays and live for Jesus today. Let’s anticipate our future with Him. It’s what I plan to do today.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

[i] Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Jack Wyrtzen and Don Wyrtzen, Singspiration, 1966.