Paul says,
“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 3:7-14
The great apostle makes several points to ponder here in this text that serve as a wonderful reminder of what is truly important today and tomorrow. Notice this:
Paul rejects all confidence in the flesh – Things of this earth will pass way. The groceries you bought this week will not last forever. The gas you put in your car today will burn away as you drive it. The money you earned last week will only last so long. The job you have will one day not be filled by you. The house you made a home will one day crumble to the ground. The good health you enjoy now will soon be fleeting and you breath will soon be gone. Therefore, don’t hang on all these things or anything as a something that will always be!
Paul puts his confidence in his relationship with Jesus – The only thing that remains forever is your relationship with Jesus. He alone is what you can count on. He alone is where you can put your confidence and trust. He alone will will provide every spiritual benefit you need. Therefore, count everything else as trash!
Paul presses on in confidence– Time presses on and on and we can waste so much of it worrying about what we cannot control. Push though to the ultimate goal of the prize that is set before you. It there for you to take. Just take it and don’t get distracted by anything else.
Remember the words to this song?
I’d like to stay here longer then mans allowed in days
And watch the fleeting changes of life’s uneven ways
And if my Savior calls me to that sweet home on high
I’ll live with Him forever in glory by and by
Chorus:
O yes, I’ll live in glory by and by
I’ll tell and sing love’s story there on high
There with my dear Redeemer no more to die
Oh yes, I’ll live in glory by and by
I’d like to be of service along this pilgrim way
And lead the lost to Jesus as fervently I pray
And as day by day I travel I’ll keep him ever nigh
And live with Him Forever in Glory by and by
Oh you know the end I know is nearing, by faith I look away
To yonder home supernal, the land of endless day
I’ll cling to Him forever and I’ll look beyond the sky
And live with Him forever in glory by and by
Let’s live with Him forever in glory by and by!!!
I love you,
Alex