Are we there yet? Philippians 3:12-14

Philippians 3:12-14
“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.”

There are times when Paul’s goals, Paul’s expectations come across as completely overwhelming at first. In verses 12-14 Paul is reflecting back on verse 10-11. Knowing Christ is one thing, and I know, it’s not just mental assent, we are talking about a full experience and engagement. Many of us have a taste of knowing Christ this way. But than he goes on to extrapolate…both knowing Him in terms of the power of His resurrection. Maybe because I grew up in a Christian home, I am not as aware of the power of His resurrection because being a Christ follower seems to have always been a part of my life, so I do not have a “moment in time” where I experienced His resurrection power. Having said that, I think that such power is not limited to simply a moment, and that being the case, I don’t think I put myself in a position to experience that power on a regular basis…or at least I am not aware of it. The other aspect that Paul is speaking o fis a willingness to share in Christ’s sufferings. I think a fair amount of suffering, but I don’t share in it much. I pray that should such suffering come my way, I will, by God’s grace be able to stand. Finally, Paul seems to indicate the fight of salvation. I wonder if it is not somewhat of a reflection of Phil. 2:12-13, this working out our faith, understanding that it is God working in us…this idea of attaining the resurrection from the dead. Whatever the case, these are lofty accomplishments. I don’t know that I am there, at least not consistently. This is where verses 12-14 are sweet. Paul moves from speaking of arrival to speaking of journey. It is about pressing on and straining toward, not obtaining or taking hold of. This gives me hope. Having said that, it is not an easy journey. The verbs Paul uses all imply resistance. There will be resistance in this journey, but we must battle on...we are not there yet.

Lord, there are so many areas of my journey towards the resurrection that I fail at consistently. I am so sorry Lord. I surrender myself to You Father. I love You Lord. I pray Father that You would move and work in real and powerful ways. Continue to grant me the desire and courage to press on and to strain forward. Make me mindful of the prize…