Written by Danielle Hage
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Philippians 3:12-16 (NKJV) “Pressing Toward the Goal”
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. 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.
Therefore, let us, as many as are mature, have this mind, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule; let us be of the same mind.
We live in a multitasking society. Our lives are busy, demands are high and stress is even higher. Many times our sense of achievement and pride comes from our earthly prizes and treasures. Paul addressed the Philippians to tell them that Christ guaranteed their Heavenly prize through Jesus Christ alone; by pressing on, looking forward, focusing on the Heavenly prize and continually making progress. You are meant to reach forward and press toward the goal to pursue your call from God. Narrow your focus to the one thing that God has placed on your heart and in your spirit and focus your priorities on His calling for your life.
REFLECT
Your resolutions, prayers and goals set forth while fasting may become blurry, or the focus and drive you feel now may diminish as life takes over and the zeal of 2016 gets in the way. Revisit Philippians 3:12-16 often to renew your strength in what your focus and pursuit are as you move toward the calling God has on your life.
RESPOND
Where do you receive your sense of achievement? Have you narrowed your focus on the one thing God has called you to do? What is your “one thing”? How are your priorities aligned to your focus and what are you actively pursuing? Respond in the comments below.
We recommend you keep a journal of your personal responses to questions posed in each of the daily devotionals so you can meditate not only during the first 21 days during your prayer time, but you can reflect throughout the entire year to be able to see how God has really moved on your behalf in 2016 and you have record of your testimony.