FOCUS FOR IMPACT (5)

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” – Philippians 3:14

Paul, the apostle was also fervent in his FOCUS for IMPACT: “Brethren, 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” (Phil.3:13-14). Here, Paul used the image of a race to illustrate the Christian Life, emphasizing that we are not yet at our destination, but must constantly focus and “press” toward the goal. In order to grow as Believers in Christ, we must be focused and determined. We can demonstrate the Focus of the Faithful!

We are encouraged to forget “those things which are behind,” implying that past failures, accomplishments, or even good and pleasant experiences should not hold us back from focusing on our future purpose. We must not build monuments to the past. We can reflect on at the past, learn from the past, but we cannot live in the past. We have to give our past to our Lord Jesus. We must forget our defeats and victories of yesterdays. We must forget our injuries and wounds and let God heal us of those hurts. We also have to put ourselves under the forgiveness of God and forgive ourselves and our offenders. The devil is the accuser. He will always bring up our past errors. If Paul, who was Saul the persecutor could forget and move forward, we can!

We must also forsake past victories and successes. We can’t live on yesterday’s victory. We can’t live off yesterday’s blessing or past strength. God gave Israel daily manna. We need daily bread. The “good old days” are today! Instead of prioritizing the past, we should be straining toward what lies ahead, focusing on the prize of God’s calling in Christ Jesus (v.14). This is the picture of a runner straining for the finish line. The prize is not a reward for our efforts, but rather the very essence of our calling to become more like Christ. The goal is a continuous pursuit of Christ-likeness, a journey of growth and transformation.

Paul confessed that he had not arrived (v.12). If he wrote 13 books of the Bible and had not arrived, then God is not through with us. Let’s look ahead expectantly for His promises. Like Paul, each of us is called to be a person of “ONE THING”! Activity doesn't equate to productivity. There is a difference between what we may do, might do, and must do; between what we would do, could do, and should do. Everyone has 24 hours in a day, but productive persons narrow their focus. We must figure out what matters most, saying ‘No’ to good things so that we can say ‘Yes’ to the best thing, the One Thing God has called us to!