‘Not that I have already obtained all this or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus has taken hold of me…..Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which Christ has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 3:12-14
I love this passage as it exudes a dynamic sense of passion and purpose which inspires and energises me. Paul is declaring for himself and for all of us that he knows that in Christ he has a destiny. He doesn’t have to worry about the past as the past is already covered by the blood of Christ. There were so many things that could have held Paul back, especially the potentially crippling regret of the terrible things he had done before he met with Christ himself. In other letters Paul describes himself as the worst of sinners, so he obviously fully understood the horror of his actions and their repercussions, yet he is refusing to be defined by shame or let it stop him moving forward into all that God had for him. He knows that Christ has taken hold of him and is making him into a unique channel of His love.
That is true for you and me too. The whole reason for the cross was that Jesus took ALL our past failures, fear and hurt. We are ALL called heavenward and ALL have a prize specially created for us in God’s love. We ALL have a destiny to fulfil that He longs for us to move into step by step in the power of His love and grace.
Things that happen in life can make us feel that we are inferior or always destined to be failures. In 2008 I was turned down for ordination training after searching out what I believed was a genuine call from God. I was sure I had heard Him correctly and was stunned when it didn’t happen. Although I eventually realised it was a wise decision, at the time it seemed to prove that I was a failure and couldn’t hear the Lord correctly. The impact of this was that I stopped writing books, stopped seeking for specific prophetic words and drifted in many other areas of my true gifting. Step by step God has been graciously freeing me. I’ve now written several books and I am coming to know in my heart that my identity is Beloved, not Failure. This is exciting but an onward journey that, as Paul teaches, I need to press into every day. But I don’t ever want to be someone who holds back or lets false feelings of failure define me.
Just as I am in Christ’s hands, so are you. He loves you and has a plan that is just right for you and, even if you do make mistakes, His blood covers them. He is with you and has chosen you and is calling you heavenwards. Looking back will do nothing but rob you of joy and peace. Pressing on may be challenging at times and make you take steps you couldn’t have imagined taking, but the joy you experience will be amazing, the joy of being in the centre of His loving purposes. If Paul could move into that despite all he had done, then so can I and so can you.
Father thank you for your amazing calling on my life. Thank you that you love me and have chosen me. Forgive me for disregarding the power of your forgiveness and all you took on the cross that I could be made new. I choose today to turn my eyes upon you Lord Jesus and press on to take hold of all you have for me. Amen.
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