Yet equipped

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
– Phillippians 3:12

I am reminded of the passage in Song of Solomon:

“My beloved is mine, and I am his.”

Having reached a good level and advanced maturity, Paul is aware more and more of his “immaturity” or imperfection. He is aware and open about the nature of his heart, yet he presses forward taking one step after the next. In a race, there is much ground to be covered; understanding where you are supposed to be is important to the racer, and the knowledge of placement is balanced with the mindset of completion…of attainment. What a runner races for is equally important as where a runner finds themselves.

I believe this is the balance between faith and works. The call of God is the finish line; it is the call of Christ himself, and a calling to himself! It is “my beloved is mine.” This mindset is what begins our race and what finishes it. This call is balanced with our footwork, our actions, our works, our response to the call of God. It is a good and healthy practice to consistently check in with our progression; are we on track…off track? The great secret to this race is knowing that our coach has taught us well; He has taught us, and equipped us with the techniques to finish well.

So also this is a plea to make this race my own, to make it personal. Knowing my weaknesses and my strengths, all the while utilizing the Spirit to finish in good fashion. It is in His Spirit where I find my strength and in my weakness where I find His strength. My race might not look like another’s and pacing might differ between other’s; and while some race in cars, and I in a boat race, ultimately, I am always equipped for the race I have been placed in…the way that I experience God, the way I make Him my own, and the way I find myself in Him is unique…yet equipped.

To forget

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:12-14

Paul a mature believer and personal “hero of the faith”, finds himself as not perfect; However, by faith he is able to take part in the love of God because of the work of Christ. He says he does one thing: to forget. To forget that which was achieved in vein, to forget the value that sin once held. Instead he pushes forward…building his trust in Christ, and beginning to know who he is.

My thoughts led me this morning to Paul’s call, to check our faith and find it to be true. My faith is not to be found within my own strength or my achievements of the past. My faith calls me to forget those sinful things and all their false worth. My faith calls me to rely, to ask for, to realize the need for the strength found in the Spirit of God. This day I know God as a helper, a counsellor and strength giver.

Thank you Lord, for I can rely on you…your gentle voice leading me towards nights of peace. Help me to forget that which was lost and vein…help me to continually look for your strength.
Amen

Watchmen: calling for a new Bethel

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of The Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but The Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. – Isaiah 60:1-3

The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but The Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for The Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. – Isaiah 60:19,20

On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall not be silent. You who put The Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth. – Isaiah 62:6,7

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. – John 1:4

Multiple take-aways today, but the main string of scripture I have seen is thus:
It is on the watchmen of a generation to call down the kingdom come. In John, Jesus made reference to “Jacobs Ladder” with the driving idea that anywhere Christ is there lies a “new bethel”. (John 1:51)

ESV notes:
The speaker in Isaiah 62:6-7 is either the messiah or The Lord. The watchmen were prophetic guardians, like sentries on a city wall, praying and watching for the fulfillment of God’s promises. They do not cease to cry out to him.

Those called to the prophetic, those who “put The Lord in remembrance”…have vision so they can pray for the Lord’s will to come. The ancients of the past…watchmen…prophets called for the coming of the messiah. A light to rise in the darkness. Now we (within the present generation) are called; to open our eyes, to look forward in anticipation of Kingdom come, to look and keep watch against the darkness of the night, to call for the soon return of our king as His kingdom is established.

Prayer and watching…perhaps I am lacking in both departments. My vision is blurred and blocked with my own burdens and my intercession (while small is growing) is close to non-existent. It’s time to take charge, stop laboring under dead weight and fight on the walls for my people. Call for His kingdom come, call for His soon return, call for His light to come.

Come Lord Jesus, take your bride that you have romanced with salvation. I look forward to your return. Your kingdom come, your will be done this day. Love, your servant. – Bryan