Our Life's Pursuit

This morning I am reading from Philippians 3:7-16 NIV
[7] "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. [10] I want to know Christ---yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

[12] Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

[15] All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. [16] Only let us live up to what we have already attained."

What an awesome set of verses. Here is Paul, essentially throwing away all he had previously attained because he has discovered the all surpassing greatness of Christ Jesus. His prayer is to be found in Christ, and know him. He is not just choosing the best parts (the resurrection) and leaving the things that seem less lovely (His sufferings) but rather embracing all that is to be found in Christ Jesus. He is not settling for one experience, but pressing on daily, pursuing God with purpose. He understands that there is much more to be discovered, understood and experienced and he is going for it. He is not limiting himself by what he has experienced in the past, or his previous achievements, but rather is each day running this race, fighting this fight, pursuing Christ and working to attain that which Jesus called him to do.

I like his statement in verse 15 - "All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things". Not just some of us, but all of us. This is not the call for some few, specially chosen holy people, but rather the upward call for us all.

Lord, let us recognize the call that there is more, and pursue You , who are more worthy then anything else we have ever seen, experienced or accomplished. You are worthy of being our life's pursuit.