Moving Forward
A Catholic Reflection on Purpose, Emotion, and God’s Design
It is a physical fact that we were designed for forward movement. Everything about our anatomy confirms this undeniable truth. Forward motion is an essential element of our being and plays a predominant role in us becoming all that we were intended to be.
Everything in our bodies is meant to move ahead. Our feet, legs, knees, and torso all contribute to this primary function. As we lean forward, we move ahead. It is the position of our eyes — set in the front of our heads — that guides us forward. We can turn our neck and body left and right to see where to turn and how far ahead we must go, but the head does not rotate three hundred and sixty degrees. We are built to bend forward, not backward.
"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 3:13–14
The Dangers of Moving Backward
Isn’t it strange that we can move in reverse? The difficulty is apparent in every action that contradicts our design — and yet we can do it. It takes practice and concentration to walk blindly backwards, and the risks are immense. What obstacles are behind us? We could walk into a fire, off a cliff, or directly into the path of a moving vehicle. On top of it all, the movement is painfully slow and restrictive.
Often we wish we had eyes in the back of our heads. Why? Most often it is because we don’t want anyone sneaking up on us. Think about that for a moment. What are the effects of being caught off guard — surprised, unsuspecting? Fear tops the list. We may be taken down in any number of ways: physically, emotionally, financially. Perhaps we fear being held back or pulled down, our efforts made fruitless.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:6–7
There Is No Finish Line
The ego also plays an overwhelming role. Most of us do not want others to move past us, overtake us, or reach the finish before we do. We all want to get there first — but many of us want to coast uphill to achieve our goals. In order to get where we are going, we must continually strive forward. There is a time to climb and a time to coast.
The truth is that there is no finish line. The only race is the one being created in our own minds. We are all on an infinite journey forward. Everyone has their own pace and their own work to do. It is by being all that we were created to be that we travel the path to Purpose. Forward thinking creates forward movement.
"Run in such a way as to get the prize." — 1 Corinthians 9:24
When we dwell on what could have been or should have been, we ground ourselves in despair and anchor ourselves in inaction. Treading water will only keep our head above the surface. If we want to see what is on the other side, we will need to swim ahead. Our reward is in the crossing.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." — Joshua 1:9
Motion Requires Emotion
Forward movement requires forward motion. As we think of where we want to be, the brain signals the body to prepare for movement. The mind says: head turn forward, eyes open wide, foot take a step. Action is always required.
My friends, movement requires motion — and motion depends upon emotion. Emotion is the key to our mode of transportation and transformation.
Our emotions play a crucial role in determining where we are going and how fast we will get there. I have often written about how passion is the soul’s recognition of God’s gift — how when we are using our gifts, hours feel like minutes. Well, through the mastery of our emotions, we can intentionally create the most powerful and energy-efficient vehicle imaginable to take us where we want to be. We move forward quickly and easily by concentrating on our destination, seeing what it looks like, and feeling the emotions associated with that vision — right now. We are the pilot, driver, engineer, and captain of the ship we call ourselves.
"As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." — Proverbs 23:7
The Catechism reminds us that the human person is not merely a mind or a body, but a profound unity of both:
"The human body shares in the dignity of the image of God: it is a human body precisely because it is animated by a spiritual soul, and it is the whole human person that is intended to become, in the body of Christ, a temple of the Spirit." — CCC 364
Spirit, Soul, Heart, and Body
Spirit, soul, heart, and body — all four contribute to who we are. When we move forward, we advance. When we move backward, we retreat. And when we stay motionless, clinging desperately to where we are and what we have, we forfeit our future and the Promise that lies ahead. There is an incredible, supernatural power in the now that must be used to propel us toward all we were intended to be.
"Now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." — 2 Corinthians 6:2
If we are to use this truth to our advantage, we must embrace with the deepest gratitude everything we have in this present moment. This is how we build the energy to fuel our vehicle. As we experience the emotions of gratitude, contentment, and appreciation, we fill our fuel cells with high-octane racing fuel.
It all has to do with the orientation of the heart. The intensity of our forward movement is in direct proportion to the positivity we cultivate. Negative emotions — resentment, envy, bitterness, fear — drain the cells of essential energy and slow down, stall, or reverse our advancement.
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things." — Philippians 4:8
The Gummed-Up Engine
If we let our fuel tanks run low, we risk clogging our lines entirely. The energy cannot reach the engine. Sludge builds up over time — all the bad stuff separates from the fuel, drops to the bottom of the tank, and creates a haven for dirt and debris. By driving continually on empty, we suck all of that junk into our system and render it inefficient. We can’t seem to get our motor started or keep it running. It chokes, sputters, and stalls — constantly. We’ve gummed everything up, and we are desperately in need of some Gum Out.
Now, as interesting — and perhaps a little humorous — as this analogy is, we are not machines. In our humanity there exists one constant factor that separates us from them: we think, therefore we are. In order to clear out our systems, we need a different kind of cleaner. We must top off our energy cells with positive emotions. As we keep our inner life oriented upward, we will continually experience efficient forward motion.
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." — Psalm 51:10
The Catechism speaks directly to the ordering of our interior life:
"The virtue of chastity — and more broadly, the ordered integration of the passions — involves the soul's integrity... When man tends toward God, the moral virtues enable him to act well according to reason." — CCC 1809
Envision Your Destination
We must envision our destination. See where we want to be. Create a vivid picture in our minds of what that looks like — and experience all the emotions associated with it, right now. This is not mere positive thinking; it is the ancient Christian practice of holy desire, of allowing the soul to be drawn forward by the goodness God has placed ahead of it.
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this." — Psalm 37:4–5
We were designed to move forward — physically, spiritually, and eternally. The path is ahead of us. The Promise is real. And the One who designed us for this journey has never stopped walking beside us.
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." — Philippians 1:6
Move forward, my friends. Your best is always ahead of you.