Nougat 14

Hello

Sometimes our faith feels like we’re on an adventure, with no clear destination in sight. When that happens, it could mean that we have not clarified our Ultimate goal in Christ. Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,” Philippians‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A quick reading of Philippians 3 indicates that the Pauline writer had a dream of achieving perfection in Christ. For him this included the willingness to bear the suffering and ‘persecution’ that Jesus faced, even to the point of death and resurrection. He desired full union with and experiencing the awesome power of God.

It was his primary ambition, his Ultimate goal. Thus, even the letter written to the Philippian church was not his driving ambition, though it may have been part of his purpose. Our goal may be tied to our purpose, but they are not always the same. In this instance (ie, as we have been using the term), our purpose is God-designed. Our goal may be an ambition of ours, something that we work toward.

For Jesus, it was probably the joy before Him (Hebrews 12:2) of being reunited with God, having offered eternity (abundant life) to the world (see John 3:16; John 10:10). Although that seems also to have been his purpose. Of course, being God with us, Jesus’s goal and purpose might have been the same.

Part of the Pauline writer’s purpose was to share the good news of Christ with the world of his day. And eventually with the world beyond his time. His goal, was to achieve Godly perfection. Ironically, in accomplishing God’s purpose, he was working on his goal.

It’s interesting that for him, focusing on the past, his accomplishments and his failings, was a distraction. It’s not that they were not important, they lay a foundation for what he would attempt next, but since he had not yet achieved his goal of Godly perfection, he kept his focus fixed, full forward. Always placing before himself the Ultimate goal.

What is our Ultimate goal?

What steps are we taking to accomplish our ultimate goal?

For, the steps would include articulating the goal and determining how to get there With Christ.

Have we ever attempted to articulate it? (I don’t think I have). Now, not articulating our goal doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. However, articulating (writing or naming) our goal says that we are ready to work toward it. And we begin to strive toward it. But, if we don’t have a clearly defined goal, then it becomes a challenge to stay or be focused. We will be driving with no destination in sight! Possibly passing the spot as we go aimlessly along.

My goal today is to take my Ultimate goal out of the attic of my mind, to shake off the cobwebs and ensure that I am indeed focused on accomplishing it in Christ. No crying over what I should/could have done yesterday, but looking forward to that which lies ahead.

In Christ’s love and grace . . .