Hi Everyone!

Verse of the Day

¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV)

Quote of the Day

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” 

– C.S. Lewis

Reflection

The moment anyone thinks they’ve achieved mastery of something is the moment they stop learning. The mentality of recognizing our limitations and seeing that there’s always more to learn, especially when it comes to the things of God, is a blessing (Romans 11:33). It cultivates humility (Philippians 2:3), growth (James 4:10), and reliance on God instead of ourselves (Proverbs 3:5-6). As we develop these attributes and grow in faith, God allows us to share what we learn with others who may benefit from the lessons God has been instilling in us over time (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Paul elaborates on this in today’s verses. In verse 13, he emphasizes that he hasn’t yet apprehended it. The Apostle Paul wrote roughly half the New Testament and did great things in the name of the Lord with God’s help. But he tells us that he didn’t consider himself to have attained perfection. A lifestyle of sanctification is not about perfection; it’s about a continual desire to move in that direction, with Jesus Christ as our focus (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8).

The latter part of the verse says, “…but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…” It reminds us not to dwell on our past mistakes. Ruminating on the way we’ve struggled has no advantage. Thinking briefly on it to see how we improve from past experiences may have a place, but when we allow the past to consume our thoughts, we are not walking in faith (Isaiah 43:18-19). There’s freedom in letting go of them because it lightens our load, helps us forgive past offenses, and allows us to use our full capacity for what matters.

The phrase, “…reaching forward to those things which are ahead…” gives us a hint. It’s not about looking ahead with worry or anxiety (Matthew 6:34). I think it’s about considering what lies ahead so that we draw confidence from Jesus Christ to make the most of the present (1 John 5:14-15). If our eyes remain fixed on the Lord, that vision empowers us to do better right now. The assurance of eternal security (John 10:28-30), unconditional love (Romans 8:38-39), satisfaction (John 6:35), and joy (Nehemiah 8:10) are all fruit of emphasizing Jesus Christ over everything else (Philippians 2:9-11). 

Nothing can separate us from the love of God, and His Son reconciles us to Him (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). That kind of certainty and security opens the door for us to serve God wholeheartedly, without the issues of the past or the worries of the future unnecessarily weighing us down (Jeremiah 29:13).

Application

Verse 14 shows us Paul’s mindset. As a result of not considering himself to have apprehended completion of his God-given goals, there was still work to do. He hadn’t yet accomplished his mission; since he was alive and breathing, he knew God wanted him to stay on track (Hebrews 12:1-2). He says it plainly, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” 

Notice the goal revolves completely around the upward call of Jesus Christ upon his life. The goal isn’t fame, money, status, self-fulfillment, comfort, or any other worldly amenity. It’s about sharing God’s word and accomplishing God’s will (1 Peter 2:15-17, Matthew 28:18-20).

Our quote of the day gives us a practical nugget of wisdom. We can’t change history, so there’s no real incentive to dwell on it. It focuses on what we can change; that is where we still have influence. God can still transform our lives right now (Romans 12). He can restore our health or answer our prayers. He can enrich our lives with joy and infuse us with a greater sense of purpose.

Even in all these things, we recognize and thank Him for the blessings He has chosen to grace us with (1 Thessalonians 5:18). But we must always remind ourselves that they’re not given solely for our benefit. The beneficiaries of our time, energy, resources, and talents should ultimately be other people (1 Peter 4:10). 

If God has already equipped us in these ways, He has already blessed us a great deal. But the beauty is that the blessing doesn’t need to stop with us. It can proceed to influence and uplift those around us. It’s also pivotal for us to ensure that we remain focused on Christ and don’t lose sight of Him as our ultimate blessing (Numbers 6:22-27). 

We cannot afford to lose our faith when things don’t go our way or when our earthly blessings are compromised. God has the authority to give and take away at His discretion (Job 1:21). May we remain faithful to Him in the good and bad times. Let’s keep seeking God and delighting in Him during the daunting, painful seasons as well as the triumphant seasons (James 1:2-4). He has ordained everything in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).

Keep in mind that God hasn’t forgotten you when life gets hard. He didn’t abandon Job, but we know what he went through (Job 42). God doesn’t owe us the answers to all of life’s questions. Occasionally we may need to fight heavy battles without fully understanding the reason. Other times, we go through those tumultuous seasons, and He offers us insight into why we went through what we did later in life.

The key takeaway is that we must press on. If you’re in a dark place, trust that God will get you through it. He will not abandon you in your time of great need (Hebrews 13:5). If your position is one of victory, embrace that season, and keep in mind that life offers us new challenges all the time. Enjoy every day of good health and opportunities to serve God. We honestly don’t know how long they will last (James 4:13-14). 

May we all continue to draw nearer to the Lord in every circumstance (James 4:8). Some people turn away from Him in times of difficulty and communicate with God only when things are going their way. Others make the opposing but equally significant mistake of seeking God only in the tough times. Meanwhile, they forget about Him when things are going well. Let’s all pursue the Lord fully in every season, knowing that our Lord and Savior wants a relationship with us at all times (Jeremiah 29:13).

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank You, Father, for keeping my eyes on the prize. I know that the ultimate prize is found in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for not abandoning me and staying with me at all times. 

Paul didn’t consider himself to have apprehended the fullness of understanding or the completion of the mission at hand. Likewise, I want to consider his example and, more importantly, emulate Jesus Christ in my pursuit of Your mission for me.

Please continue to equip me with Your full armor, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and instill in me the peace that surpasses all understanding. Without Your provision, I wouldn’t have the capacity to do anything eternally meaningful.

The joy of the Lord gives me real strength; please help me to remember that. I must always recognize that when I fix my eyes on Jesus Christ, I will retain an eternal mindset. I know that is the only way to maintain true satisfaction, joy, and purpose in my life.

Without Jesus Christ, I would not have anything worthwhile to accomplish or live for. Thankfully, He is always with me, and I know that everything I do for Your glory has eternal value.

Please help me always draw near to You and remain in Your presence, both in times of trial and in times of abundant joy. It’s not easy to remember, in moments of difficulty, that even those have their purpose in Your plan.

Thank You for filling me with Your Holy Spirit. May I always listen to His lead and trust Him to help me when things aren’t going the way I planned. Help me rest in Your sovereignty, knowing things are still going in accordance with Your will. Nothing takes You by surprise.

Lastly, I ask that You would please forgive my numerous sins in Your sight. Please help me to walk the road of repentance and conquer them with Your supernatural help.

I pray in Jesus Christ’s precious, holy, and mighty name.

Amen.