I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, 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. Philippians 3:12-15
Dear Lord Jesus, though your grace frees me from the “paralysis of analysis”—an unhealthy navel-gazing preoccupation with me, it certainly frees me for living a gospel examined life—a life lived as fully and faithfully… in your grasp and for your glory.
I don’t know how old Paul was when he was when he wrote these words… probably in his 60’s, if not in his 70’s. What I do know is he’s given me a “view of things” that I want to take to heart the rest of my days in this world. It seems like the older he got the more he grew a heart of gospel astonishment and a lifestyle of kingdom priorities. So, where does this lead me?
First of all, I praise and thank you for taking hold of me in the gospel. There’s immeasurable comfort in knowing it’s your grasp of me, not my grip on you, that has secured and defines our relationship. Sometimes I lift hands in praise to you, fully alive to the riches of grace. Sometimes I shake fists at heaven, like a pouting demanding child. Sometimes I wringing my hands in anxious unbelief, like a hapless orphan. But I live and I will die secure in your palms and written upon your heart.
Secondly, Jesus, I praise you that I have a prize to win, NOT a wage to earn. I never gained entrance into this heavenly hope by my works and I don’t maintain it by my efforts either. But the hope of heaven is meant to de-clutter my life by refocusing my heart. So what does this mean? What do I want for the rest of my days? I cannot say it any better Paul, Lord.
I want to know you, Lord Jesus… more intimately than ever. This is the one thing I want more than ANYTHING else. And I want to experience more of the power of your resurrection… for I have NO power in myself to love others as you love me. I want to enter more fully into the fellowship of sharing in your sufferings—living out the birth pangs of new creation life in this broken world which groans for its release from the bondage to decay. Your resurrection, Jesus, has not just secured mine, but also the arrival of the new heaven and new earth. Our labors in you are NOT in vain. (Phil. 3:10-11)
This is what I want, Jesus. Help me to have way done with lesser things. So very Amen, I pray, in your most glorious name.