SCRIPTURE:
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 3:12-14
OBSERVATION:
The book of Philippians was a letter written by Paul to the Philippian Church to encourage them in their faith, thank them for their support, and assure them that he was still in good spirits. Why would he have to assure them he was doing well? Because he was in prison. I don’t know about you, but if I were in prison because of my faith, I’m not sure encouragement would have been a priority. Yet, for Paul, it was. Paul could encourage them, even from prison as he faced an unjust accusation, because he knew that it was a part of God’s plan. This is what “press[ing] on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [him] heavenward in Christ Jesus” looked like.
Paul realized that he was on a journey. He had not reached the end of it, and quite frankly, he wasn’t experiencing the results he had hoped for. However, his response––to imprisonment, to setbacks, and to his difficult journey––was to press on. I often think about how easy it would have been to quit. How easy it would have been to settle for less-than-God’s-plan. How easy it would have been to stop preaching the Gospel to avoid imprisonment. But Paul’s response was not to quit, but rather, to press on.
Furthermore, as Paul not only looks toward the future; he forgets what is behind. He doesn’t pine for the past or mope about easier times in life; he looks forward toward God’s future for him, and more importantly, for the Kingdom. Paul could press on and look toward the future because he knew that his current state was not the end of the story. God was a God who could do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” God “works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” That God has “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Paul knew who God was, and he knew his God’s promises. And because he did, he could press on toward God’s prize and be content, even in prison, knowing that he hadn’t made it yet, but he was getting there, all in God’s perfect timing.
APPLICATION:
Today, no matter what you may be facing, forget the past, look toward the future, and press on toward the prize knowing that God’s best days are ahead of you. It’s not just a saying––it’s His truth.
You’re not at the end of your journey, and this isn’t the end of your story. Yes, you haven’t made it yet, but you’re getting there! Surrender your plans and expectations of how life should go, because God’s plans are so much better than any plans you could have dreamed up for yourself. For Paul, prison was simply the scene from which God’s great glory was about to be put on display. And the same could be true for you too, as long as you choose to be obedient to God’s plan for your life.
Choose to be obedient to God’s plan, in His perfect timing, and in His perfect way. Continue to be faithful, and don’t give up. For when you do, you will reach His goal and win the prize for which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus.
PRAYER:
God,
You are always good! Even when my circumstances aren’t, you are good. Even when people aren’t, you are good. Even when life isn’t going my way and I can’t see a way out, you are good. Today, I remember your goodness in my life, I remember who you are, and I continue to press on toward the prize no matter what. Holy Spirit, empower me and give me the endurance, faith, and hope to complete the calling You have given me. Jesus, I need Your help, I want Your help, and I need You. I surrender, and I am excited and grateful to experience the hope-filled future You have prepared for me.
In Your name I pray,
Amen
