Lesson Three • Grow
Gary Wright
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
I worked as an equipment operator for the Genesee County Road Commission for 25 years. I am so thankful that I had such a good job. To be honest, there were times when the job was a real struggle. There was a lot of politics that we had to deal with, and working with the public was very difficult as well. I considered switching jobs more than once; however, the benefits of working there were many. I made a good living for my family and had great health insurance for us all. My main goal, and the one thing that really kept me going, was that I knew if I stayed focused and put my time in, eventually, I would be able to retire with a very good pension.
Paul shares in Philippians chapter 3 that he had a goal as well. His goal was far more important than a good pension. Paul’s goal was to be like Christ, and he knew that he had not yet achieved Christ-likeness nor would he ever achieve it in this life. Philippians 3:13 says, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own.” This did not stop him from taking every opportunity to grow in his faith. Philippians 3:13 continues, “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.”
Paul did not let his past failures or achievements distract him from his goal. He was intently focused on Jesus.
Paul goes on in Philippians 3:14 and shares were his motivation to grow comes from, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul knew that in the future he would reach his goal. He would be in Heaven with Christ and be like Christ. This motivated Paul to continue to be all
that Christ had called him to be and do.
There are three applications that Paul is teaching us.
- Paul is encouraging us to continue growing and not feel like we have arrived. The growing process is a marathon, not a sprint. It is a lifelong journey. What does the growth process look like in your life? Does something need to change?
- Paul was focused on what lies ahead instead of getting bogged down by the past. It is so easy to let our past keep us from growing. Are you focused on what lies ahead or are you letting your past keep you from growing?
- Paul was motivated by his goal of being in Heaven and being like Christ in the future. What motivates you? What is the goal in your life?
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, we read, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”