Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 109 – Philippians 3:12-16 – Press On – Growing As Disciples
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, 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. Philippians 3:12-16 (NIV)
The Goal
What is your goal? What do you hope to accomplish? Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? Who do you hope to become? Those are all very large questions. Each one has implications for my entire life. In a way those seem like trick questions. Why is that? They are not trick questions. But it is interesting that you think they might be trick questions. Tell me why you think these might be trick questions. Life is not all about me. Life does not revolve around me. I could have goals that are not your goals. I could have plans that are not your plans. I could want to go and do what is not your purpose or plan or will for my life. I could want to become someone other than the person you have in mind. None of these would be good or right or pleasing to you. With a focus on myself, I could completely miss out on living the life you have called me to live. These are wise and mature thoughts that you are expressing. However, you are forgetting something very important. What’s that? I have taken hold of you. Yes, that is true. You have made me your own. You are my God and Father. You are my Savior and Lord. I am your child. It is my joy and delight to follow and serve you. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Yes, you do, I can see that. So, not only have I taken hold of you, but you also have taken hold of me. Yes, that is also true. So, when I asked you those questions, they were not trick questions at all. No, I can now see that they were not. So, go ahead and answer them. My goal is to become more and more like you. I want to know you intimately. I want to think your thoughts, speak your words and take your actions. I want to know and love and follow and serve you. I want to walk through life with you. I want to go where you lead me. I want to do what you ask of me. I want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I want to keep on pressing on with you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Are any of your hopes and dreams and desires outside of my purpose and plan and will for you? No, they are not. Keep on pressing on with me. Yes, I will. That is very good.
Lord, I will forget what lies behind. I will let go of my past shortcomings and failures. Instead, I will keep pressing on with you. You have taken hold of me. I will take hold of you. Help me to live the life that you have called me to live. Use me in your service. Amen
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Promises – Day 109 – Philippians 3-12-16 – Press On – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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