Listen

It’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already been perfected, but I pursue it, so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose. Brothers and sisters, I myself don’t think I’ve reached it, but I do this one thing: I forget about the things behind me and reach out for the things ahead of me. The goal I pursue is the prize of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14

Think

Have you ever played a sport, an instrument, or a game? Were you amazing at first? Probably not. Truthfully, if you are good at all, it probably took some practice. If you were able to ever achieve a level of excellence, it probably took you hundreds if not thousands of hours of practice. Even after hundreds or thousands of hours of practice – were you perfect? Probably not, and even if you had a glimpse of being perfect, it likely didn’t last very long.

Our faith as Christians is very similar. It is about practice, not perfection. When Paul talks about pursuing, it can also be understood as constantly practicing. It is inching closer and closer, becoming better and better at this life of faith, of living like Jesus. It is not about being perfect, but consistently and constantly practicing to be a little better today than we were yesterday. Just like Paul says, looking back and focusing on when we were not perfect becomes a hindrance when the direction that we are desiring to go is forward.

Stephen Ingram

Pray

God, I thank you for the grace that allows me to live in the present and not focus on the failures of my past.

I am grateful for your grace that allows me to keep working, keep practicing, and to keep falling forward into your love.

Amen.

Go

Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we ev’ry burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown.

Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.

Robert Lowry in “Shall We Gather at the River?” (1864)