Dave spoke this morning from Phil 3:12-14, commenting on how God has a goal for each one of our lives. At this time of year, we are reminded of the dedication, concentration, focus and determination needed to win races: last Sunday saw the London Marathon and this weekend the ‘Tour de Yorkshire’ is going through Barnsley.
Pursuing God requires the same kind of dedication that these athletes and cyclists show. Rom 8:28-29 reminds us that God’s purpose for our lives is for us to be conformed to the likeness of Christ. We have not arrived at our goal yet, but need to press on towards that goal, not looking back but being firmly convinced that spiritual growth will happen as we focus on God.
For us to no longer live in the past does not mean that we forget all that God has done or that we do not learn from our mistakes. Rather, we do not fixate on the past, refusing to let bad experiences or past hurts eat us up and weigh us down, but instead we learn from the pain and moving on by the grace of God. Neither are we content to simply live in the memory of past victories, but continue to press forward, realising that what counts is our present-tense relationship with God. As we stretch forward in earnest pursuit of God (like the athlete stretching forward for the finish line or the cyclist hunched forward), we learn the benefits of perseverance and diligence, not giving up or serving God half-heartedly, but being disciplined in spiritual pursuits (prayer, Bible study, worship, service, turning away from worldly pursuits and reaching out to God, being prepared to go beyond the ‘safe’ or ‘comfortable.’)
Being focussed on God means that we keep our eyes on the prize, knowing that the joy of seeing Jesus face to face and being commended by Him will be worth all the light and momentary troubles we experience now. It means seeking to develop new ministries and refusing to overvalue traditions, not wanting a superficial faith but a faith which is vibrant and living.