Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but Iress on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, 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
It takes willingness to pursue the Lord and His vision, courage to take action, and perseverance to follow through. Jesus sent His Holy Spirit to lead us into truth and to empower us to advance His kingdom. We have a responsibility as leaders to allow the Holy Spirit to fulfill His plan in us.
Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians that he must “strain toward what is ahead.” Sometimes we are so burdened with past failures that we are unable to pursue God’s plan for our lives. As believers, the foremost plan for us is to witness to the world the saving love and grace of Jesus Christ. We do this differently according to the gifts He has given us and the call on our lives.
But in all that we do, the ultimate goal should be to bring others to Christ and to glorify God.
David pursued God’s enemies because he knew that God had called him to help preserve a nation for God’s purposes. He did not know that the Messiah would come out of this nation to bring salvation to the world.
Not only would He come out of this nation, He would come out of David’s royal lineage! We may not see the whole picture, but the Lord is sovereign and He fulfills His purposes through us. (Romans 8:28) Like David, we must be willing to follow God’s call to us and be willing to press on, all the while walking by faith. (II Corinthians 5:7)
What has God asked you to do? Are you so burdened with past failures and feelings of unworthiness that you are unable to follow God’s call? Paul spoke to the church in Philippi and throughout the ages: 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)
Heavenly Father,
Help me forget my past failures and to strain forward to accomplish the goal You have called me to. I press on to know You; I press on to follow You. I know that with You I will win the prize.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
