(Part 1)
"12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.-Philippians 3:12-14
I love how Paul never allowed his physical limitations to define his spiritual possibilities. Paul was imprisoned when he penned these words about “pressing on”. How do we press on (how do we move forward) when we are physically locked down? Paul understood that spiritual growth and growing in our relationship with Christ were not confined or defined by the space we occupy. Often, the biggest obstacle or barrier to our own spiritual growth is our own mind.
Let’s be honest, Paul was in a forced quarantine, where we are under self-quarantine for a greater good. Although, I would never go as far as to say that self-quarantine is more difficult, it does pose some unique challenges. Where Paul’s freedom was taken from him, we in essence are laying ours aside to accomplish an expressed purpose.
Jesus has a perfect plan and purpose for each of our lives. Paul recognized that to embrace that perfect plan, he had to solely pursue Christ. Pursuing Jesus would ultimately lead to the place of perfection that Jesus had in store for him. However, it often took Paul places that didn’t seem suited to help him accomplish God’s will.
Paul understood that there is a big difference between being perfect and being perfected. One claims you’ve reached the pinnacle of God’s purpose, plan and design for your life. The other humbly recognizes that possessing perfection will be a lifelong pursuit. That pursuit requires us to stay focused. Paul said that his focus was straight forward: forgetting what is behind and pressing for what lies ahead.
The past for many can be a catalyst, but for others it is as anchor that weighs them down, keeping them from moving forward. That is why the writer of Hebrews wrote:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.-“Hebrews 12:1-2
How do we break free from the weight of sin and shame that can so easily weigh us down? Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus! Paul could have focused on a number of things that were keeping him from moving forward, but instead he chose to focus on Jesus. Regardless, of what you are facing, you can choose to be anchored to your circumstances or you can choose to press on towards the high calling Jesus has planned for you.
Scott Burr
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