Philippians 3:12-14
Reflect
When my dad was facing his last days on earth with us, my son-in-law asked him what it felt like to know that you were facing death soon. Dad responded by saying that he was at peace because he had no regrets, that he fulfilled the things God had called him to. Life was not easy, but it was fulfilling.
I love verse 12b – “but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me”. We know that He called us for a purpose, and to reach that purpose there is often a process. We need to press on through the process to realize the purpose for which we were called. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” To do those “good works” it often requires suffering, discipline, effort, and many re-starts.
We see countless examples in Scripture of those who went through the process to reach the purpose. Hebrews 11 recounts those who were commended for their faith, and what they went through to reach God’s purpose in their lives.
My sincere desire is that when I face my last days on this earth, I can also say that I fulfilled the things for which Christ called me. It hasn’t been easy, but I press on!
Pastor Jerilyn
Pray
- Pray through the prayer section in our program.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Mike Bartusek and his family.
- Pray for Dave Schneider, our Youth and Worship Pastor and Erin Gibbard, Youth Ministry Associate.