Abiding Treasure- Straining Forward by Bryan Craig
Scripture
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” Philippians 3:12-16
Thought
This passage really struck me the other day. I continue to realize that this walk with Christ is not for the faint of heart. Sure, there’s love, there’s peace, there’s joy…and all the other benefits of the fellowship with the Spirit. But Paul, one of the key disciples the Spirit chose to evangelize the world, talks often about the struggle of being a Christian, as he does in the passage above. I “press on”, I “forget what lies behind”, I “strain forward”, I “hold true”. All of this language reinforces that this journey with Christ brings with it opposition and resistance. And as I read this particular passage, it appears that those of us who have had some “spiritual success” or “seeming advancement” are the ones who most need the message. If we feel like we have come quite a long way in our spiritual maturity and maybe we have seen some fruit, that is good news but Paul would say that we must remember that the goal is still ahead of us. We must also remember that we belong to Christ, and it is ALL about Him. If God has revealed truth to us, that is good and that will be a foundation to build upon. But it is not too profitable to keep looking at the past for our measurement of how we are doing. We keep our eyes on Christ and His plans ahead. This is the “upward call” for all believers. This will help us stop trying to perform and compare. The struggles are there to remind us how much we need Christ.
Application
I think about lessons I’ve learned from my workout group. It is difficult to make myself get up at 5:00 in the morning to willingly drive to a workout where there will be pain inflicted. It is counter intuitive. It is counter to my flesh which wants comfort, pleasure, selfish desires. Yet, after making myself do this for a year, I, no doubt, see many benefits. The same applies to making myself get up early to open God’s Word and journal and listen and to pray. These disciplines, too, go against my nature. Yet, after 25 years of this practice, I know it is my lifeline. Even still, often I must “press on”, I must “strain forward”, I must “forget what lies behind”, I must “hold true”. Daily, there are disappointments, afflictions, wandering thoughts, doubts, fears, conflicts (even with fellow Christians), and many other distractions trying to tempt me to give up on this “upward call.” But I feel like the disciples when everyone had deserted Jesus after His teaching about drinking his blood and eating his body.
He said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:67-69 ESV
Yes, I believe this as well. Jesus has the words of eternal life. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the Holy One of God. And I don’t know what the future holds, but I trust the One who holds the future.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for being my Life Coach. Thank you for encouraging me through my brother, Paul, to press on and strain forward and not to give up. I know every day has potential to feel difficult and most of the time, I don’t feel like I have what it takes. But it’s not about me. It’s about You and Your plans for me. I serve you. Any pain You allow is worth it because You always have my best interest in mind. I will keep my eyes on You, especially when life gets difficult. But also, Lord, if I start getting too proud of myself or my achievements, please remind me that I’m getting off track. Thank you, Lord, for pressing on, all the way to the Cross, so I could have real life, and for all eternity. I love you, Lord. Amen