“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:14

What’s your New Year’s resolution?

It’s what everyone’s asking this time of year. And whether you find it annoying or love it, whether you participate or not, it’s simply one way our society recognizes the page-turn of a new year. And for many of us, the start of a new year is a time for introspection and evaluation. How did last year go? What do I want this year to look like? How can I become more of the person I want to be? And whether or not we love New Year’s resolutions, I’d argue that the introspection it encourages can be a good thing.  

Especially when it’s rooted in God’s truth.

That’s why we decided to memorize and meditate on Philippians 3:14 this month. It says, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” In this season of goal-setting and self-evaluation, this verse encourages us to look not just at the coming year, but to consider the whole story of our lives. It asks how we’re doing. Are we pressing on? Are we even running in the right direction? This verse reminds us that there is a race, we should try to run it well, and the prize is secure.

Running the Race

I wish I could give you the whole context of our verse right here (Listen to my teaching episode for the full scoop). For these constraints, just know that if you’re a Christian, you should be running towards Jesus. He’s the goal you're after and the prize you win when this life is finished. When you start running after Jesus, you give up your prerogative to run after all the fleeting things this world has to offer. In fact, compared to Jesus, they lose their luster. Paul says it this way, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ…I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3:7-8). So let me ask you this: are you running in the right direction, or do you tend to get off course and run after other things? If that question makes you squirm, you’re not alone. I’m inconsistent at best when it comes to this life race. So what should we do? How do we get back on track?

Press on!

Our verse says, “press on.” But before you feel weighed down by it, be encouraged that these words are even in the Bible at all. They're there because we need to hear them. God is not surprised that we regularly run off the path or get knocked down by a hurdle or just lay down in exhaustion. In fact, Paul the Apostle (think professional Christian superstar) says in our verse that he’s the one that’s having to press on. He readily admits, “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” (Philippians 3:12). Did you hear that? Paul had not arrived. This biblical hero is just as prone to wander as we are. He confesses his own need to hold onto Jesus. So be encouraged, wherever you are, whatever is getting you off-track, today is the day to get back on track. Now is the time to press on and take hold of Jesus.

You Can’t Lose this Prize. 

One of the loveliest little phrases in the Bible is that second half of Philippians 3:12, “Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Did you hear that? Jesus is holding onto you. Yes, you are in a race. Yes, you should hold onto Jesus. But here’s the thing, your relationship with Jesus isn’t dependent on the strength of your grip, but his. And Jesus will never let go of you. Moreover, the race you’re running? He ran it perfectly on your behalf. He finished it by giving up his life as a payment for all your sins. He’s won you the prize already. You will make mistakes, you will fail him, but he will never fail you. Doesn’t that just make you want to run to him, to press on through the hard things, and to cling to him as he gently and constantly holds onto you?  

As this month goes on and I continue to meditate on this verse, here’s my resolution: I want to be able to honestly say, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14). Don’t you?