PowerPoint - June 22, 2007

June 22, 2007

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

Over the last few days we have been talking about a life of significance…and how it is marked by a direction and a dynamic. But that kind of life is also marked by a dedication.

What I mean by this is that success in the Christian life isn’t a point…it’s a process. Just think about Joseph for a moment. No matter what he endured, we never find him harping or complaining or saying he’s having a lousy day.

But rather, he was faithful to God as he disciplined himself in body, mind, and soul to fulfill God’s call for his life. There wasn’t any bitterness in him, even though his brothers betrayed him and his friends forgot him. God was with him and he knew it. And throughout his journey of life, Joseph fulfilled James 4:10: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

Like Joseph, we are on a life journey. And this journey you and I have with Christ is a process through which He is growing us day by day. None of us ever get to the point in our lives where we can say, “Okay, I’ve got it now. I have it all together I have it made. All the accomplishments are done. I’ve achieved everything that I want to achieve in life.”

As the apostle Paul reminds us in today’s passage, we must press on toward the goal…the life of significance that God promises us as His children.

So keep dreaming, keep hearing the call, and keep responding to God in faith and trust, knowing that He will exalt you as you dedicate yourself to learning and growing in Him!

success in the christian life isn’t a point, it’s a process.