JUNE 5, 2015
What We Do
One
thing I do . . . I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of
God in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:13-14
Read:
Philippians 3:7-17
When Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic Roger Ebert died, a
fellow journalist wrote of him: “With all his notoriety, honors, and celebrity,
all his exclusive interviews and star-dusted encounters with movie greats,
Ebert never forgot the essence of what we do—review movies. And he reviewed
them with an infectious zeal and probing intellect” (Dennis King, The
Oklahoman).
The
apostle Paul never forgot the essence of what God wanted him to be and do.
Focus and enthusiasm were at the heart of his relationship with Christ. Whether
he was reasoning with philosophers in Athens, experiencing shipwreck in the
Mediterranean, or being chained to a Roman soldier in prison, he focused on his
calling to know “Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of
His sufferings” and to teach about Him (Phil. 3:10).
While
he was in prison, Paul wrote, “I do not count myself to have apprehended; but
one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward
to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the
upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (3:13-14). Whatever his circumstances, Paul
continually pressed forward in his calling as a disciple of Christ.
May
we always remember the essence, the heart, of who we are called to be and what
we are called to do as followers of Jesus.
Father, may I be willing to do what I can with all that I have,
wherever I am.
Paul was in earnest over one thing only, and
that was his relationship to Jesus Christ. Oswald Chambers
INSIGHT: In
trying to explain why he was suffering, Job argued that he had not committed
any wrong deserving of such punishment. In so justifying himself, Job was in
essence questioning God’s fairness and justice (40:8; see also Job 21,24). God
confronted Job, asserting that only He is qualified and has the absolute power,
wisdom, and ability to rule this world justly (40:15-24).
Source: Our Daily Bread 2015
