Wednesday, October 2, 2024
“But I press on to
possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear
brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing:
Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach
the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through
Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
(Philippians 3: 12 -14, New Living Translation)
It has got me to thinking about
what may be left on my “bucket list,” those aspirations, ambitions or things to
do or see before one dies. No, I do not want to parachute out of a plane, kayak
down rapids or scale Mt. Everest. But I would like to see, in person, a World
Series’ game, preferably with the Blue Jays in it (LOL). I would like to visit
Scotland, Spain and Australia. I would like to go to baseball’s annual All-Star
game.
But when I come to think of it,
I have done some pretty cool things in my 73 years. I have been to the Middle
East and the Holy Land, Indonesia, Rome and London (England). I have been to
Spring Training games and Baseball’s Hall of Fame. I have preached at
Yorkminster Park Baptist Church in Toronto, one of the leading pulpits in
Canada. I have travelled across Canada from coast to coast, save for Labrador,
NWT and the Yukon. That’s just a few things I have done or seen. My bucket may
not be quite full yet, but I may need a larger bucket for what may yet come. I
ain’t dead yet!!!
I first learned the Philippians' verses as a young boy in my home church in Belleville. They were the theme
verses for our Tyro boys’ group. Consequently, they have remained my personal,
scriptural, life’s encouragement ever since. In recognizing that I am never
finished in life, never totally complete. never totally having arrived, never done with life, never having completely achieved all that I
could, I am to press on, strive to be better, look forwards to the future, “I press on to reach the end of the race…”
Now, I admit that I have become
pretty lazy in my retirement. Arthritis keeps me from running many races or
doing the things I used to do such as gardening and the like. But Paul is not
referring me to join an actual marathon but rather to keep my attitude focused
on the future and to remain open to new possibilities in the areas of my faith
and practice. I can’t change the past but I can shape, with God’s help, my
future. “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person
gets the prize? So run to win!” (1 Corinthians 9:24)
Sometimes, in sports, children
get a medal for just participating, whether they win or lose or anyone keeps
score at all. That’s nice. But I think Paul is suggesting that there is more to
Christianity than mere participation, just going through the motions, doing the
least so that we can make into God’s Hall of Fame. Paul is not encouraging us
to do the minimum but to strive for being better, to strain in doing good, to
go-all-out in our Christian endeavours. “Remember, there is only one
foundation, the one already laid: Jesus Christ. Take particular care in picking
out your building materials. Eventually there is going to be an inspection. If
you use cheap or inferior materials, you’ll be found out. The inspection will
be thorough and rigorous. You won’t get by with a thing. If your work passes
inspection, fine; if it doesn’t, your part of the building will be torn out and
started over. But you won’t be torn out; you’ll survive—but just barely.” (1
Corinthians 3: 12 -14, The Message Bible)
As long as we are alive and
kicking, no matter our age, we can all strive to live lives that are worthy of
the prize.
“I have fought the good
fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the
prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me
but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4: 7 - 8)
Somebody, pass me my running
shoes!
Dale
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