Pressing Toward the Goal
Pressing Toward the Goal
Philippians 3:7-14
"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ." (Philippians 3:7-8, NIV)
Imagine if we, as Christians, truly lived with this kind of conviction—like Paul, who saw every worldly achievement, possession, and accolade as insignificant compared to the joy of knowing Christ. Paul's words here challenge us to examine our goals, purpose, and priorities in life.
What Really Matters
Paul’s radical perspective reminds us that the things our flesh often clamors for—success, recognition, comfort, and wealth—are not what ultimately matters. Our culture values these pursuits, but Paul invites us to shift our perspective. He saw everything he once valued as "garbage" when compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
This hits close to home for me. I find myself asking hard questions:
Would I still talk about how little money I have if my true goal was to exalt Christ?
Would I dwell on how burned out I feel if my energy was spent chasing after Jesus rather than fleeting rewards?
Would I make career decisions based on worldly benefits or on how I can use my giftedness to glorify God?
These are tough questions, but they're necessary if we want to live as Paul did—completely sold out for Jesus.
The Prize is Worth the Cost
In verses 13-14, Paul says, "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." This is not casual or comfortable language. Straining and pressing on suggest effort, sacrifice, and focus.
Paul was laser-focused on the goal: the upward call of God. His purpose was to glorify Christ, no matter the cost. And yes, following this call might cost us everything. Jesus Himself said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)
It’s not easy to live like this. I know I still have a long way to go when it comes to setting my goals according to God’s purpose instead of my flesh. But I also know this: God is patient and faithful, and He will guide us as we surrender more of our lives to Him.
A Life That Exalts Christ
What would happen if we truly lived this way? If we let go of our fleshly desires and focused solely on Christ?
We’d stop obsessing over how much (or how little) money we’re making.
We’d rely on God to renew our strength instead of burning ourselves out.
We’d make decisions based on how God can use us, not on what’s most comfortable.
Living with this kind of faith changes everything. When Christ is our treasure, our perspective shifts. Suddenly, the things we thought were so important pale in comparison to knowing Him.
A Personal Challenge
Let’s take Paul’s example to heart. Spend time this week reflecting on your goals and purpose. Are they centered on Christ, or are they driven by personal comfort and ambition? Pray for God to help you let go of what doesn’t matter and to press on toward what does.
This kind of surrender isn’t easy. But it’s worth it. Because when we set aside everything to follow Jesus, we gain more than we could ever lose.
