GOING FOR THE GOLD

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:13-14

I have to admit that I haven't watched much of the winter Olympics.  Personally, I prefer the summer games.  I have noticed some of the headlines coming from the games.  The American news media celebrates American victories and sympathizes with Americans who have a disappointing finish. 

The real goal of Olympic athletes is to bring home a gold medal.  It must be exhilarating to stand on the podium as your national anthem plays.

For the Christian, our main goal shouldn't be the earning of gold.  Instead, our primary objective is to go for a different type of gold.  We should be yearning to reach a city of gold and walk on gold.  That was the Apostle Paul's goal.

Notice some things that Paul did as he neared the finish line of life.

1.  PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE

Despite the long list of Paul's accomplishments, he realized that he hadn't reached the pinnacle yet.  He wrote, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended."  Some may have considered him a hero.  Most considered him a fool or a failure.  None of their opinions mattered.  Paul was not going to let achievements or public opinion distract him from the thing that mattered most:  crossing the finish line.  As he pondered his situation, Paul realized that the most important part of any race is the finish.  The cheers or jeers of others were not going to hinder him. 

2.  PUT THE PAST IN THE PAST

Also, Paul put his past in the past.  He wrote, "... forgetting those things which are behind."  Paul had a lot of sin in his past.  If we were honest, all of us would admit that the same is true of us.  Paul received forgiveness when he met Jesus.  Now, he pressed forward.  He was not going to let the past hinder him any more.  Most people are letting the past destroy them.  Some will take petty grievances and hurt feelings to their graves.  Others refuse to forgive and move on with their lives.  Still others refuse to forgive themselves.  The key is to experience God's forgiveness.  For Paul, his past was put in the past.  Any person who clings to the past, does so at their own peril.  When an athlete looks back, he gives up any chance at winning.  The same is true for you and me.  Bring your past to Jesus and let Him put it in the past.

3.  REACH FOR THE FINISH LINE

Paul was reaching for the gold.  He wrote, "... reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."  Paul was reaching for "the prize."  Some saints have said that they would be content just to barely get inside of heaven.  Really?  Paul didn't feel that way.  He wanted King Jesus to reward him.  Paul wanted the best of heaven.  He wanted his Lord to be pleased with him & reward him.  Do you?

I am not an athlete.  I'll never compete in the Olympic games.  You probably won't either.  But all of us can reach for the gold.  We can sell out to Jesus and live fully for Him glory.  We can reach for the finish line with excitement and anticipation. 

Believe it or not, the finish line is just ahead.  So reach for the gold!