I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:14
When I hear inspiring stories about inspirational Olympic athletes, one thing that stands out to me is the sacrifice involved on behalf of the athlete in order to excel at their craft. These athletes must let go of other things they enjoy so that they can be the best athletes possible. They give up their time participating in other activities in order to train and practice. They must also let go of other dreams and desires to solely pursue their craft. When we are dedicated to something, we must give up other things that will distract us and hold us back. This is also true in our relationships with Christ. If we are dedicated to our faith and want to grow and make Christ known, we must let go of the things that hold us back.
The apostle Paul understood the importance of being dedicated to his faith. He even wrote about his ministry in terms of an athlete in Philippians 3. “I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 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” (verses 12-13). Paul understood that focusing on his goal, knowing Christ and making Him known, rather than focusing on the things of the past, was key in running his race well. He continued on in his letter, explaining, “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (verse 14). In other words, Paul ran his race without looking back, fully dedicated to his calling. He let go of all of the things holding him back and distracting him. He gave up the comforts of the world and faced hunger, imprisonment, and eventually death as he persisted sharing about his faith in Christ. All of these things paled in comparison to knowing Christ and making Him known.
Paul’s dedication and perseverance serve as an example to us today. If we want to be fully dedicated and devoted followers of Christ, we must, like an Olympic athlete, decide to live solely for Him, letting go of the things of the world and the things that have distracted us. Like Paul, let’s press on and run our race well.
Take your notebook and journal the verses you have read today. What things are distracting you from being fully devoted and dedicated to Christ? Write those things down. Next, ask God for the courage to turn away from those things. Later today, tell a trusted friend the things that are distracting you and ask them to help hold you accountable as you seek to turn away from them.
Read Philippians 3:12-21(NLT)
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. 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, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
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. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.
Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 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. 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. 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.
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