Purpose in life

Philippians 3:13 is one of my favorite passages! 

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before".

First, Paul tells us of his PURPOSE:  "this one thing I do".  He is not double-minded in his goals, nor is he feeling insecure about his purpose in this life.  He simply has this one goal in mind...

He is forgetting the past.  Of course, we can view the past as a learning activity, and also as a way of rejoicing in the goodness of God; however, it is important to never let the past interfere with the purpose of our present responsibility of bringing glory to God.  In the races Paul often wrote about, could you imagine a runner as he endeavors to win the race stop, turn, and take a look at those behind him?  What a dumb thing to do.  Let's stop looking behind and filling our minds with regretful thoughts; it' time to move past high school...your football glory days are over...(Unless your in high school, of course:)  Let's focus on what is ahead!

He reaches forth...I love watching sprinters race!  They do a close up, slow motion shot of one, and you see every muscle twitch, nerve bouncing, eyes focused, all in movements of the runner!  Reaching forth is putting everything about us in the act of glorifying God.  It's not a "I'll give you Sunday" relationship, but "my entire life is committed to you, Lord."  What are some things in our life we need to drop.  Let's get all in!  I love what my Pastor says, "let's work at putting a smile on God's face".

Solomon said it best... "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Love ya,

Nate