But One Thing I Do

The Apostle Paul was writing to the people of Philippi, sharing his heart and all that he had endured in serving the Lord. We know he had been shipwrecked three times, beaten, imprisoned for preaching the gospel, bitten by a poisonous snake (yet miraculously spared), and forsaken by a fellow worker who “loved this present world (more than the things of God).” His losses were great! But in his own words he states, “I consider it all as nothing (garbage) compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ and being found in Him” (Philippians 3:7, 8).

It’s a stark contrast to today’s mindset - that any hardships or mistreatments are esteemed in perpetuity, and a victim mindset is proudly carried. This is a trap that makes our pain our identity, and our losses our biggest message. Paul’s approach brings so much wisdom - acknowledge it, understand its impact on your life, then move forward… “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have yet taken hold of it, (or to have arrived at all the answers). But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Philippians 3:13).

Scripture tells us what lies ahead and why it’s worth striving forward, not backwards… “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1, 2

Friends, as we strive to be salt and light in a corrupt world, we are cheered on by our “cloud of witnesses” - those already with the Lord and the angelic realm. They have a bird’s eye view of the race before us and how arduous it is, but in Christ, it’s more than possible to finish well! We are reminded that Jesus, Himself, saw the joy of the future where His people would be redeemed unto Himself, and that great love and joy gave Him strength to endure the cross. We must look ahead, too.

May we fix our eyes on Jesus and run with perseverance. The obstacles are many and the road is hard, but there is a Finish Line, dear ones, and it will be Glorious! Press on.

(Devotional by Cheryl Hall-Laos)