Philippians 3:14 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.
Athletes are driven to train to win championships. Every great athlete desires to win the ultimate prize in their field. In the sport of wrestling it is an olympic gold medal. In football it is to win a superbowl. Athletes train all their lives with the hope to be able to compete for a championship.
As Christian’s our ultimate prize is knowing Christ Jesus and having a personal relationship with Him. Paul here says I press on toward the goal to win the supreme and heavenly prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling me upward. The calling on Paul’s life was that of an apostle. Paul didn’t sign up to be an apostle. He was actually using his life to try to destroy the church and rid the earth of Christianity before God got a hold of him.
But on the road to Damascus the apostle Paul was arrested by Jesus Christ. He was stopped in his tracks. He was blinded and his spiritual eyes were opened to the truth. He came to the amazing revelation that all his life in studying the Torah, the prophets, and the writings had all pointed to Jesus Christ.
Paul would suffer greatly for Jesus Christ. But he understood that his true joy was found in the Lord. The joy of the Lord was truly His strength. When he was weak the strength of God was perfected. All of us have a call and anointing on our lives. All of us have a purpose and destiny in Jesus Christ. The more intimately we come to know Jesus, the more we discover who we are and what God has called us to be.
Life is a very different experience when you no longer live for yourself, but you live to glorify and honor Jesus Christ. This is the ultimate prize. That when we stand before Christ some day when our lives are over we will hear well done good and faithful servant.
Today no matter where you find yourself and no matter how many times you have failed and tripped up, keep pressing forward. Keep pressing on toward the high call in Christ Jesus. Always remember every mistake and shortcoming is simply a lesson to be learned and hopefully we don’t continue to repeat the same mistakes. But know that no matter the call God will empower and strengthen you to be the man and woman He has called you to be.
Prayer
Father I thank you that you have a call and anointing on my life. I thank you that I am not here by accident. I thank you that each day you are leading and guiding me, and even in my mistakes and shortcomings, you never give up on me. I admit I cannot do this in myself. I pray you would protect and watch over me. You would deliver me from every scheme of the enemy. I pray you would bless the work of my hands and fill me with your strength, power, and endurance. May my life simply be used to bring honor and glory to Jesus in all things. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!
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