“Press On Toward The Goal To Win The Prize…!”

“Press On Toward The Goal To Win The Prize…!”
In 2002 I was chaplain of CCAST Complex, Bambili. During the entrance examination into Ecole Normale Superiuere (ENS) Bambili for that year, I was asked to be one of the invigilators. Two things cause me not to forget that invigilation excercise too soon. There was this guy who after every candidate had left the examination hall was there taking his time to read through his script, even though darkness was approaching. He took his time until it was time out. I couldn’t force him to leave before time out, even though it was about twenty minutes since the last but him left the hall. When I remember this incident I am forced to remember also that the promised invigilation fee has never been paid since then. But that’s not the issue here.
The last candidate reminds me in a way of Paul’s words about his journey of faith. Being a contextual evangelist cum apostle he likens the journey in faith to a race. An imagery familiar to his Philippian readers.
Paul considers everything “a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things…”
This is a mere wish, an expectation of what he wants to become. He has not yet arrived; he is on a journey of faith. He has not yet been made perfect – none can be made perfect while still on this pilgrim’s progress.
He writes, “but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Paul is telling us of his aspirations on his journey in faith. But he wants us to make it our story and face the race like him. So he continues, “All of us 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.” This is to say, you have a right to differ with Paul on some of the points about his faith journey, but let God make clear to you.
We have often taken this passage to mean we should leave everything behind as we strive for what lies ahead. Far from it Paul wants us to “live up to what we have already attained” (Phi.3:7-16).
Pail is telling us that like that last candidate, take your time to read through your script as long as it is not yet time out. After all, God is the invigilator who must not ask you to stop until it is time out. Believe me, many left that examination hall earlier without answering all the questions nor reading through their scripts to be sure of what they had written.
Jesus says whoever puts his hands to the plough and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God. Once you have engaged in the journey to attain the heavenward call in Christ Jesus you must free your mind from mundane entanglements which wieghs you down.
God in Christ Jesus has called you heavenward.
Press on toward the goal to win the prize.
Live up to what you have already attained.
If you are not in accord with this, let God make clear to you.
If the road you have taken is a good one, encourage others to do the same.
Prayer: Holy Spirit lead me as I press to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!