“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 took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: 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 heavenward in Christ Jesus.” vs 12-14

Observations:
I love this passage! Paul is saying that he does not fully get it, but he presses on as hard as he can to find it. He acknowledges that on one hand we have already received all that we need from God. But, on the other we won’t fully comprehend or realize it until we are with God for eternity. I love the concept of forgetting the past - there’s nothing we can do about it anymore. And then pressing on toward the goal to win the prize. It’s not a stroll or even in a jog, it’s a fast-paced sprint on hot pursuit of winning.

Application:
I want to press on fervently to the goal of knowing God and understanding all that he has taken hold of me for. I want to passionately pursue him and all that he has for me. I know I don’t get it. I know I never will until one day I am standing with God in heaven. But, in the meantime, I want to forget the mistakes of the past, point my eyes toward the future and run like the wind to obtain the prize God has for me.

Prayer:
God, help me to acknowledge all that I don’t know. Forgive me for thinking more of myself than I should. I want to pursue you with passion and intensity but I am often distracted or prideful or lazy. Forgive me for focus on myself instead of pursuit of you and the prize you have waiting for me. Please help me to forget what is behind me and instead strain toward what is ahead, pressing toward the goal to win the prize. Amen.