Always Moving Forward

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. 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. All 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. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Observation – On the one hand, we are called to an impossible goal – to be made “perfect” or complete. On the other hand, this goal keeps me constantly looking up and moving forward. I will not give up because I fail at different points. I will continue to “press on toward the goal.” The movement toward perfection is a work Christ is doing in me. My real goal is to let Him continue that work. My work in that process is to “live up to what (I) have already attained.”

Application – I will keep myself open to Christ’s shaping work within me today. I will press on, even when I fall short of perfection.

Prayer – Thank you, Lord, for your continuing work in me. Thank you for providing a goal worthy of my life’s commitment. Thank you for the hope that one day I will take hold of that for which you have taken hold of me.