Just One Thing
October 6
But one thing I do.
Philippians 3:13b
Byron had asked Shane to run for a seat on city council. “Look, Shane, I under-
stand your reluctance, but think about it.”
“I hear what you’re saying. I’m just not sure I agree. There’ll be many
opposed to my holding political office if they find out about my past. You know
campaigns are anything but private, and the other camp will surely dredge it
up.”
Shane wasn’t afraid of being found out; he just didn’t want to drag his fam-
ily through an unnecessary mudslinging contest.
Sixteen years ago, he’d been arrested for possession of marijuana and
cocaine and had done a short stint in the county jail. He’d gotten clean and
stayed that way. Yet he knew society could be a cruel reminder.
But Byron had witnessed the change in Shane and appreciated how he
approached life today. “At least discuss it with Carol and see how she feels.”
That evening, Shane posed the question to his wife. “What would you
think about me running for the vacant city council seat next November?”
“I think you will be a good councilman,” she said with finality and a twin-
kle in her eye. She understood his concern; she just wasn’t going to let it dictate
their lives. If it came up, so be it. It was what he did, not who he was.
Shane was sworn in on a windy and cold January evening and would faith-
fully serve the City of Grayson, being reelected to six consecutive terms.
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We all have pasts and have fallen short of the mark. Too many of us let those
mistakes define who we are today. If our personal sin were laid bare for all to
see, we would cease throwing stones of incrimination, and we would judge less
critically.
Paul was aware of his shortcomings to the point of listing many of them
in the hope that others would understand the importance of not allowing past
mistakes to affect present performance. So I emphasize his words for you:
“Forgetting what is behind, and straining forward, I press on!” Do just that one
thing; press on!
Prayer
“Forgive my mistakes, Lord. Help me not allow what I’ve done
in the past dictate who I am in You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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