August 12, 2023
Often when we reach a goal we’ve been working intensively towards for a few years, our tendency is to come to a full stop and rest. It’s natural to want to reflect on what we’ve accomplished, with God’s help, and we certainly could do with a break. But the problem is when we get stuck. We stay there, perhaps feeling tired and without direction, and it’s hard to summon the wherewithal to move forward.
That’s how I felt when I published my book, Only For You, Lord, in mid May this year. Naturally, I needed a break after three years of intensive work. But what is my next goal? How does God want me to spend my time? I believe he wants me to keep using my writing skills for his glory. So, I’ve decided to be intentional about getting some blogging done. And I’m coming up with ideas and inspirations for another book. Now to persevere.
The apostle Paul talks about his goal of knowing Jesus and the power of his resurrection, sharing in his sufferings, and becoming like him in his death (Phil. 3:10). These are daunting goals! Am I willing to put the time into getting to know Jesus more through Bible reading and prayer? Am I willing to go out and tell others about Jesus, possibly sharing in his sufferings? Am I willing to lay down my life for others to his glory? Am I willing to seek his will for the day and for the days ahead, putting aside my own desires?
Paul continues, “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 (Phil 3:12). What a beautiful statement. We aren’t perfect and these goals are daunting but, for those of us who have put our trust in Jesus, he has already made us his own. How astounding! We are his, and he looks after us as a shepherd does his sheep. Doesn’t this make us want to press on and strive to glorify God even more? Doesn’t this make us want to seek and follow his will for us?
“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 (Phil. 3:13-14). We need to leave the bad stuff behind, carry with us the good things God has accomplished through us, and strain forward to what lies ahead, pressing on toward what he has called us to next.
Help me press on, Jesus, to the next goal you have for me.