EMBRACING UNCERTAINTY: Goals
03.27.20
The great danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark." –Michelangelo
DAILY TEXT: Philippians 3:7-21
But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith. My goal is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well. Nevertheless, we must live up to what we have already attained. Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.
Uncertainty can leave us feeling as if we are navigating life in the dark
A goal is like the lighthouse, guiding us and influencing every decision along the way.
Goal: Skopos—The end line of a foot race; scope (like a gun scope)
A goal requires intentionality
A goal requires thoughtfulness
A goal requires perseverance
To know Him- picture in his mind- this visualization governs everything
The Power of His resurrection
Fellowship in His suffering
Conforming to His death
Touchdown/ Olympic sprint Academic or Professional award or achievement
Beware: Individuality
I PRESS ON — Persevere, endure, resilient, I’m not giving up!
Enemies of the Cross of Christ: Their minds are set on earthly things
Thought Questions
(T or F) This week I was eagerly seeking to know God in my Quiet Times.
(T or F)This week I was intentional in obeying Jesus in my relationships.
What is most likely to derail your focus on Jesus?
What are “earthly things” I’m tempted to set my mind on? What does change look like?
5. What one thing would Jesus tell me I needed to change in order to have greater focus on Him?