Press On Toward The Goal
“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. Philippians 3:13-15
The Super Bowl – the football game of the year. This one is for all the marbles – or trophy that is. The game has even taken on the feeling of a national holiday. Families and friends gather for the event and share food and the company of one another.
I enjoy the Super Bowl game no matter if my favorite team is playing or not. I can still fondly remember the very first one played between the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Packers were my dad’s favorite football team. He thought Vince Lombardi was the epitome of leadership. It was a special time to share the experience with him.
The Super Bowl is about the battle between the best of each league for that season. Arguably the best coached, the most talented, the ones who have trained the hardest both mentally and physically to reach the pinnacle. Of course, there’s some luck along the way. But here they are, ready to battle for the highest reward their profession provides.
Paul liked to use the analogy of athletic preparedness to achieve ultimate victory. Paul’s stated goal is to know Christ. Paul was once completely disinterested in all matters of Christ. In fact, he was a persecutor of Christians. His conversion was dramatic to say the least, but he still pursued Christ every day, not letting anything take his eye off the goal – to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all Christ had in mind for him to be.
Paul liked to reference running a race in describing what it meant to be a Christian. In running a competitive race, you are taught not to look behind, but only focus on the goal ahead. Sports teams are trained to forget the mistakes of yesterday and focus on the ultimate championship prize that lies ahead.
We are all players on God’s team, and we must do the spiritual training. Worship, Bible study, daily prayer, and devotional time are all elements of the training regimen supported by our coach, the Holy Spirit, in pursuit of the ultimate reward Christ promised us – an eternity with Him at the race’s end.
Lord, I am in complete awe of Your love and forgiveness. Holy Spirit encourage me and guide me in my daily spiritual training. Teach me to be forward looking and to be like Christ each day as I strive to grab the prize You have provided through Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ holy name. AMEN.