Hello ,
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 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, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
The author of that passage, (the Apostle Paul,) was a busy man. He often worked with his hands to earn a living, he traveled from place to place, he
ministered to the discouraged and downtrodden.
Notice in verse 13 however, that Paul uses language that is common, and yet profound. The phrase "one thing" pops out at me. Above all the busy-ness, work, travel, struggle, and ministry, "one thing" is at the very center of Paul's life and mission. The mark!
Paul doesn't say that he has hit the mark. He doesn't claim perfection. He doesn't even purport to have not made any mistakes. His only claim? Moving forward towards a holy goal.
How's your
struggle towards hitting the mark today? Do you sometimes feel like you take two steps forward and three steps back? Are there times when life hits you from all sides, and you wonder how you're going to stand and face it all?
Don't feel alone! Remember, even when we fall flat on our faces, we are still moving forward. There is
a God who will pick us up, dust us off, take us by the hand, and move with us farther down the road. It's all about the journey that we take with Him. God is faithful.
Have a great day and God bless!
