“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.”  Philippians 3:12-14, The Message

For the past couple weeks I’ve been following the Olympics!   Maybe you have too.  The athletes have trained for years.  They are strong; they are skillful.  They come from diverse backgrounds; they have not all had the same opportunities to train.   They speak different languages.   They eat different foods.  They come from different corners of our world.   But one thing they have in common, their overwhelming desire to compete.   They will put every ounce of strength and ability into their performance.   They will “go for the gold!”

Does this sound a bit like Paul’s message to the Philippians.   He admits he doesn’t have all the answers.  He’s not an expert.  But, he’s on his way.   His eye is on the goal.  He’s off and running and he’s not turning back.   God is beckoning him onward, and he lives every moment of his life with his focus on his heavenly reward.  He’s telling them that there’s no time to wallow in self-pity or wander about judging others.   No time to turn back and take a different path.  Now is the time to press on, to keep God’s love foremost in their hearts and minds, to live each day in gratitude for their blessings and in confidence in God’s strength.  

Like the Olympic athletes, we too are very different.  Our skills and strengths are unique to each of us.   We come from different parts of our country, if not the world.  But one thing we have in common is our all-encompassing desire to reach out to Jesus, to serve Him in the best way we can, and to keep our eye on the heavenly reward promised to us by a God whose love is unconditional.

Go for the gold, my friends!

Judy