“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us” (Phil 3:12-15 Message).
I remember well the 5K Cross Country meets of high school — the anticipation, the starting gun, the 3.1 miles of agony, self-discipline, pain, sickness, competition, endurance, sense of accomplishment, victory or defeat. CC runners have always prided themselves on the confused looks and baffled comments of fellow classmates who cannot imagine why anyone in their right mind would want to subject their bodies to such a seemingly miserable kind of sport. Still, those who’ve experienced some of the rewards — usually intangible — that come with this sort of personal challenge and physical test know that there is something special, something powerfully meaningful in starting, enduring and finishing a race.
The apostle Paul seems to be drawing from the imagery of an athletic race of sorts. The Christian life is a test of spiritual endurance as we fix our eyes upon the goal ahead. Paul makes it very clear that he’s still got a lot of road ahead of him. He’s well out of the gate and has plenty of miles already under his belt. The Christian race is not a 5K but marathon for sure. It’s a long, arduous challenge with many chances to throw in the towel and call it quits. But Paul is no quitter and his attitude provides a great example for us to follow in our own race towards that finish line that awaits us.
What can we learn from this passage about the race and how to run it? Read the rest of this entry »
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PHILIPPIANS 27: No Turning Back Now (3:12-15)
Posted by Jeremy Berg in Commentary, Devotional, Philippians on October 16, 2009
I remember well the 5K Cross Country meets of high school — the anticipation, the starting gun, the 3.1 miles of agony, self-discipline, pain, sickness, competition, endurance, sense of accomplishment, victory or defeat. CC runners have always prided themselves on the confused looks and baffled comments of fellow classmates who cannot imagine why anyone in their right mind would want to subject their bodies to such a seemingly miserable kind of sport. Still, those who’ve experienced some of the rewards — usually intangible — that come with this sort of personal challenge and physical test know that there is something special, something powerfully meaningful in starting, enduring and finishing a race.
The apostle Paul seems to be drawing from the imagery of an athletic race of sorts. The Christian life is a test of spiritual endurance as we fix our eyes upon the goal ahead. Paul makes it very clear that he’s still got a lot of road ahead of him. He’s well out of the gate and has plenty of miles already under his belt. The Christian race is not a 5K but marathon for sure. It’s a long, arduous challenge with many chances to throw in the towel and call it quits. But Paul is no quitter and his attitude provides a great example for us to follow in our own race towards that finish line that awaits us.
What can we learn from this passage about the race and how to run it? Read the rest of this entry »
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cross country running, focus on the goal, marathon, No turning back, Phil 3:12-15, running the race
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