Friday, December 11: Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)
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 me and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God had called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
No matter who you are – regardless of your age, interests, or occupation – I think we can all agree that this year has presented us with many unexpected challenges. With our nation experiencing social, political, and economic unrest in the midst of a global pandemic, it is easy to become weary, worn down – discouraged. I wait and pray and wonder, “How long, Lord?” (Psalm 13:1) It’s not that I lack faith, but rather seek reassurance, added confidence, and motivation to continue moving forward in these ways described as “the new normal,” which feel anything but normal to me. I need to be reminded to focus not on my weakness, but on Christ’s strength.
I find much encouragement in Philippians 3. Even after many years of proclaiming the Gospel and teaching others to be servants of Christ, Paul admits that he cannot achieve righteousness except “that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” (v. 9). Paul makes it clear that Christian growth is a lifelong process. It takes endurance. Life will throw many obstacles in our path, but we must not focus on those things that slow us down. Rather, we must focus on Christ as our goal. God calls us to be his people, and through the gift of Christ he has invited us into his kingdom. We must continually press on knowing that it is not through our own righteousness, but because Christ has made us his own that we will stand justified before God.
Michael Dean