Embracing the Good

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me.” Philippians 3:13-14

The author of this beautiful exhortation was the same man who suffered many hardships as a believer. Even as he penned these words, Paul was in a dark cold prison shackled to a Roman guard no doubt, awaiting his own death. And yet, other verses penned by Paul included words like “rejoice”, “press on”, and “take hold” of Christ. His gaze was firmly set on the promises of God instead of his present circumstances. He acknowledged that what was behind was a forgotten foe, and that all his efforts and energies would lean towards the future goal of embracing the good that God has promised.

It is easy to focus on our freedoms temporarily lost due to the virus and become discouraged and emotionally drained over what has occurred. But our passage in Philippians boasts of a better way to experience our days and nights. We fill our minds with the words and promises in the Bible. We refuse to allow ‘what was’ to threaten our hope in ‘what will be.’ We cast our burdens onto the shoulders of God who is in complete control. We look onward and upward with confidence that God will accomplish all He ordained for us and within us. These are not merely platitudes rather prizes we can obtain through taking hold of Christ during our challenging times. They are guaranteed certainties in a time of unparalleled uncertainty. So, as we strain ahead leaning into God, we take our place alongside the cloud of witnesses who went before us like Paul.

Prayer: Our sovereign God, you alone preserve and govern over every detail of our lives. You have the perfect control and management of the universe. You direct all things through your divine presence and power including our present challenges. May our spiritual response be beacons of hope for those who need to know you as their Savior.

Challenge: To find God’s goodness every day and record it as a reminder of His faithfulness. When tempted to look behind or to fear the future, read your record of how God has revealed His daily offerings and comfort.