By Audrey Bauman

Philippians 3: 12 - 21  NLT

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

Our life with Christ develops over time. The day we trust in Jesus as our Saviour, we don't become perfect.   Now God sees us through the perfection of his son, but WE are not perfect. Paul states that is true. "But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me." He hasn't arrived at perfection; he's still 'pressing on' to become a better person. God does work in our lives and brings us closer to being like Jesus, but during our life on earth we will never come to perfection. We will always struggle with our sinful selves, our bad thoughts and motivations. But we have the Holy Spirit working within us, bringing us closer to being the way God wants us to be - one day at a time.

Paul tells us how he deals with his imperfect life. What is his focus? "I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." He's looking ahead and cooperating with the Holy Spirit in how he lives and what he considers important.

Is that how you face life, your future? Are you looking ahead to being with Jesus someday, and living today in that expectation? If I'm honest, I have to admit that I tend to live focused on my life here on earth. What do I do every day? Go to work, clean the house, cook, talk with friends, do some hobbies, etc. How many times do I wake up and ask God what he would like me to do today? I have to admit - not often.

When I read these verses, they challenge me to start my day actually asking God to guide me in what I do. That doesn't mean I have to essentially become a pastor or missionary. I can go to work. I can keep my home in order. I can exercise to keep my body functioning. I can visit with friends. But through all that, how conscious am I that I want to follow what God wants from me? Am I that person that radiates God to those around me?

At times, Paul mentions that people can use him as an example. "Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example." Notice he doesn't just say they must follow only him. He also says we can learn from other people too. I have a suggestion for both myself and for you. Think about a person you know who has really impressed you as a wonderful Christian. What are they like? What is it you admire? What about them gives you an idea of how you could improve? Maybe, you could even ask them to be your mentor for awhile.

"But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.  He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control."  (v. 20 - 21)

That is what we are looking forward to. If so, what can I do with God's help to focus on my goal - to someday be with him in heaven?

Our song for today is Lay Me Down by Chris Tomlin.