by Desiree Bustamante

At the end of our race is our waiting Savior.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:12-14 English Standard Version

Paul wrote these words to the Philippians in prison in Rome or Ephesus. He feared that his death was near and he wanted to finish his race with joy, a strong faith and commitment to his calling of spreading the gospel.

His words are a great encouragement to us as we run the race Christ has set before us. Just as racing up these stairs in record time would take training, if we want to win our race we have to focus all our efforts on reaching that goal. Paul shares with us his wisdom for achieving this. Forget what is behind—past pain, blessings, achievements and sins. Though our past blessings reveal Christ’s love, our past pain drives us into His arms and our past sins are forgiven through Christ’s sacrifice, these are not the final prize.

An eternity spent in the loving arms of Christ Jesus is our desire and hope. Paul encourages us to “epekteinomenos,” the Greek word for strain after or stretch forward to the goal of spending an eternity with Christ.  Running the race Christ asks us to run is hard. It takes grit, perseverance and faith. Commit yourself to running to win and to growing in Christ until your last breath. Keep your focus on Christ. Then, as you cross the finish line, Christ will be there with His arms open wide to celebrate your victory.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado