Pressing on
Today's focusPaul counts everything as loss compared with knowing Christ, and, forgetting what lies behind, he presses on toward the prize of God's upward call in Christ Jesus.
Read
7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, 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, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Reflection
As you reach the conclusion of this journey, Paul’s words offer a powerful perspective on what truly matters. He looked at everything he once valued and "counted loss for Christ." For Paul, nothing compares to the "excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus." He was willing to suffer the loss of all things to "win Christ" and be found in Him. This isn't about earning your own way through the law, but receiving the "righteousness which is of God by faith." Knowing Him means experiencing the "power of his resurrection" even while sharing in His sufferings.
Today, you are encouraged to adopt this same focused heart. Paul admits he has not "already attained" perfection, yet he remains determined. He describes a life of "forgetting those things which are behind" and "reaching forth" to what lies ahead. You do not have to be held back by past mistakes or previous achievements. Instead, you can "press toward the mark" for the prize of God’s "high calling." Trust that you are "apprehended of Christ Jesus" and continue to follow after Him with hope.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
As the fast ends, what one thing do you want to keep pressing toward with Christ for the rest of this year?
Pray
Lord Jesus, knowing you is worth more than anything. Thank you for meeting me in these 21 days. Help me leave behind what holds me back and press on with you all year long.