[The Glory Unveiled]
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ( Philippians 3:12 NIV )
The difference between the living and the dead is activity. The living are constantly engaged in some form of activity. Even when they are sleeping, their body parts and organs perform essential life functions. The dead, on the other hand, do nothing. The apostle Paul said he had not yet achieved his goal, but he pressed on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of him. Every calling has its markings, and our success is tied to pressing on toward the mark of the call. At the time Paul made this statement, he was not a lazy or idle person. He had already achieved significant things and could have rested on the laurels of his past successes. The glory of his past accomplishments might have lasted him for a while. However, if he had done so, he would have “died” in a figurative sense. His relevance and purpose would have been lost in his own time. We cease to truly live when we stop striving and fail to press on to the next item on our agenda. Life is a continuous march forward toward a set goal. The apostle Paul never claimed he had achieved enough to stop pressing on. Despite all he had already accomplished, he continued to move forward with determination. We must also recognize that there is a force that drives us forward toward achieving our goals. For Paul, this force—this magnet—was the reason Christ took hold of him. The value we place on what lies ahead of us has the power to draw us toward it. If the target we set before us is truly important, we will make every necessary effort to strive toward it. Remember, the world recognizes only the living—those striving to leave a mark. Be one of those.
Prayer_Bead: Lord, thank you for the vision you have placed in my heart to pursue. Help me not to relent. In Jesus name.
Wisdom_Quote: Press on towards the mark of your calling.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.