Pressing On
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
The day after Christmas can feel like one big letdown.
Philippians 3:10-14
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 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.
What we need most is a ‘divine reset’.
As our outlook shifts, so does our goal. Our ultimate direction is directly impacted by our day-to-day perspective.
We must acknowledge the ‘not yet’ reality of life here on earth (verse 13).
-No matter how much we long for good things, exciting things, fulfillment, wholeness, and completeness, we are living in a reality where it will always be “not yet”.
-We shouldn’t be totally shocked by the disappointment we feel. It’s actually to be expected.
-We also see the hope in these words. Paul didn’t say “I will not”, but rather “not yet”.
-It will happen, it will come pass, it will be completed. It’s “not yet” but it is coming.
“I press on to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (verse 14)
-Paul says this is the one thing. As we shift our perspective, we become focused on this one thing: pressing on.
-And what is the goal? To win the prize. And what is the prize? Heaven.
-I am pressing on in spite of opposition, in spite of difficulty, in spite of disappointment. Why? Because this kingdom is not my home.
John 14:1-4
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
-Jesus doesn’t just tell us not to let our heart be troubled, He gives us a very specific reason why not.
-Why not? Because He is preparing a place. A place to experience His fullness & His peace.
-If Paul speaks of the “not yet” reality of life on earth, then Jesus is speaking of the final fulfillment of that longing.
Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Other verses for study/reflection:
-2 Corinthians 5:17
-Luke 9:62
-1 Corinthians 9:24
-Genesis 19:26
-Hebrews 12:1-2