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

I try, but I am not a very good runner. It’s not so much the exertion; it’s the boredom! I get tired of running on a treadmill or around a familiar path in the park. I get distracted too easily and lose my focus.

Here in Philippians, the Apostle Paul compares the journey of faith to running a race. Paul says that the key to being a successful runner is to keep your eyes on the finish line. For those of us who seek to follow Jesus, his example is our goal. We are to continually remind ourselves that the goal is to be more and more like Christ.

It’s easy to get distracted or to become bored. But what if we were to wake up every day and to simply pray (even if we don’t feel like it): “God, help me to reflect the light and love of Jesus Christ today”? Perhaps just that simple act may reorient us and help us to focus the eyes of our hearts on our goal.

Tyler Tankersley

Pray

Gracious God, today I ask that you help me to always be striving for the ultimate goal. Help me, dear Lord, to become more and more like you in all that I say and in all that I do today. Amen.

Go

As you depart from this moment, may you know that the righteousness of Jesus Christ walks with you wherever you go.