The impossible dream. Try as I might, I don’t have it “all together.” I identify with a popular meme that says: “My ducks are absolutely NOT in a row. In fact, I don’t know where some of them are and I’m pretty sure one of these is a pigeon!”

The great apostle Paul—powerful preacher, commander of demons, a praiser through pain, fearless before kings, calm in the hurricane, church planter, teacher, mentor, witness to God’s saving grace in the lives of multitudes—was the first to admit that he had not “arrived.” And maybe even more surprising, he tells the Philippians that in all that he had seen, heard, and experienced in the Lord—there was more that Jesus had for him.

Having been chosen by Christ, Paul had made a choice of his own: to go for it. With eyes on the future, he exhorts believers to “give no care” to the past, but to hear the voice of the One who loves them best: calling, drawing, blowing to flame the spark of hope and purpose. That beckoning call became the “starter’s pistol” for Paul’s race and it propelled him ever forward. To “press on” paints a picture of the committed runner pushing himself toward the finish line.

Most likely, all of us would admit that we have “not arrived”—we are a work in progress spiritually speaking. But we might need to ask ourselves, am I “pressing on”—do I have a singular focus to “take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Philippians 3:12, NIV)? Do I hear God beckoning me onward—to Jesus?

When these words were written to the church at Philippi, more than 25 years had passed since a murderous Pharisee named Saul had been knocked off his feet and then rose to become the Apostle Paul. Yet Paul’s determination and resolute zeal had not diminished. Has mine?

Today, embrace the truth that Jesus has more for you. More revelation, more power, more joy, more grace, more experience of His abundant life. Let the final declaration of these verses be your own: I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.”