I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.Philippians 3:14
We’re all going somewhere. We all have goals we are working towards. Life begins with a struggle and it only gets more difficult as we grow up. In that struggle we strive to live the life we desire most. Some work for riches, popularity, power, love, knowledge, recognition, or success. Some work all they can to just get by. What if someone spent their whole life working toward a goal that was worthless? A wasted life is a shame, and many people are pouring their lives out for things that will be worthless the moment they step into eternity. What are you spending your life for?
Paul said that his goal was Jesus. Paul wanted to have a relationship with Jesus that was growing (Philippians 3:10). Paul desired closeness with God and transformation by God. Paul wanted Jesus to express himself through Paul’s life. In his life before Jesus, Paul had all the earthly things that most people desire (Philippians 3:4-5), and realized that every accomplishment he had worked for was worthless compared to the riches of knowing Jesus (Philippians 3:7-8).
Paul described Jesus as his prize or treasure. Paul saw this world’s promises as garbage, and Jesus was the only goal worth living for. In fact, Paul said he was pressing toward Jesus, because the more Paul knew Jesus, the more Paul wanted to be closer to Jesus. Paul said that Jesus was “the goal” of his life. We’ve got too many goals. We’re going in too many directions. We’re easily exhausted by competing desires, but Paul had a singular desire that wanted closeness with Jesus above everything else. Isn’t it time to say yes to Jesus?
