“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
A new year has begun. Time to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).
Goal-setting is vital in the Christian life. Without goals, our life will be aimless and pointless, with infinite possibilities blown by the wind by default. Without goals, it will be awfully hard to determine if we are on the right track, according to God’s will.
In Philippians 3:13-14, the apostle Paul advocates Christians to be single-minded in fulfilling a God-given goal: “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.“
Paul was determined to finish the race the Lord had set for him. And he did. He wrote in Timothy 4:7: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.“
Ask yourself this question: are you farther along the course today than last year or last month? Are you running the race with zeal and joy? Or are you just coasting along, unmindful of the calling God has for you?
Perhaps you have slipped back and lost ground. Maybe you are now discouraged and demotivated. But take heart: God is a god of second, and even multiple, chances. You can still join the race and win the prize. Just yield your life to Jesus, and resume running the course assigned to you.
As Christian athletes, we are not competing with others. However, we are in competition with ourselves. Everybody can be a runner and a winner in this divine race. And as we aim to be a better person today than we were yesterday, God’s grace will see us through. He will equip us with the will and energy to fulfill our goals.
Today, set down specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound goals for the key areas in your life (e.g. devotional life, ministry, family, work/studies, finances, health, etc.). Commit these goals to the Lord and allow Him to work in you and through you. You will not be sorry if you do. (Photo courtesy of Climate Patrol)
