Lenten Devotional 2017 - Restored: Finding Redemption in Our Mess

Scripture

Philippians 3:10-16 New International Version (NIV)

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.

Following Paul's Example

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.

Meditation

I Want to Know Christ - Ginger Selander

That is what it is all about! That is what we were created for! Our purpose on this earth is to be in a genuine relationship with God. He wants this relationship to be our first priority above all others. Paul got it and he spent his whole life striving to reach that very intimate relationship with him.

All relationships, including the one with Jesus, begins with an initial meeting. Paul's initial meeting was not a warm fuzzy one. As Saul, he was walking around spewing death threats to all Jesus' disciples. If you recall, he was struck blind at his first encounter with Christ, and remained that way until his heart was turned from stone to clay. That is where began his relationship with Jesus. Hopefully, none of us started our relationships with Jesus that way.

Paul spoke about the goal of knowing Christ completely and becoming like him. That is a very tall order, yet I believe that is what we are being called to do.

My daughter was on the swim team in high school. One of the most

difficult races was the "500 meter". The swimmer had to swim 20 laps of the freestyle stroke. The team members would line up and cheer the swimmer on. There was one person at the end of the pool holding a sign in the water to keep them aware of their pace and how many laps were complete. They had to keep their eye on this sign and be aware of their final goal. This race was utterly exhausting and grueling. But at the end there was a sense of exhilaration at completing the task.

Isn't that just like life? We have a long race ahead that at times can be exhausting. We have our friends and family alongside us encouraging and cheering us on. And, most important, we keep our eye on the goal before us, Christ, Jesus.

I can only imagine the exhilaration I will feel at the end of this race.

Take a few minutes to listen to Give Me Jesus. It is a beautiful example of how we need our Lord in our life.