Scripture:
Philippians 3: 12 – 16
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, 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, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Observation:
Paul, of all people does not have the call of God for His life figured out. He cannot realize fully, nor can we, why God took hold of him and why Jesus Christ appeared to him, spoke to him and transformed his life. Paul is open to learning more and discovering the call in its fullness. He models for us the heart of a life-long learner but not with mere theology or academia but to garner the heart-beat of God in his life. In order for Paul to do this he gives us some key principles:
· Forget the past.
· Fight to move ahead.
· Focus on the goal
· Finish to get the prize.
If we too want to be mature, we should take see it as Paul does. Not sitting back and waiting for more knowledge but moving forward by forgetting, fighting, focusing and finishing and by living out what we already know.
Application:
I need to move into this place of maturity and not allow distractions from the past or current weakness in my judgment to keep me where I am or to move me backward. I want to run my race and run for Him. IN all things may I apply these principles- I will grab hold of all God has done, spoken, revealed and desires for me.
Prayer:
Lord help me to live out what I know and what you have already shown me so that I may gain deeper knowledge into why you grabbed hold of me. Give me the courage and power to follow hard after you. Amen
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