Focus: Philippians 3:13-14 - KJV
13. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Luke 9:57-62
The life of the believer in Christ is akin to that of a high mountain climber. The mountain is a great height and for the climber to reach the top, he must keep focused on the grips above and no longer on the grips and footholds he had scaled. To sustain momentum and make progress, the mountain climber is encouraged not to look back at the height he had already climbed, lest seeing the extent thereof, some phobia may make him lose concentration and thereby drop off. No wonder Christ says no one who lays his hands upon the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom. Like the climber therefore, the believer is expected to keep focused and ignore the things he has achieved, but keep his mind on the journey, looking for the next grip and foothold that will sustain him in his pursuit.
Paul was a very good example: he realized, like the mountain climber, that succeeding up to the mid-height of the mountain is not an achievement at all, as it is better not to have climbed than to get midway and go crashing down. No wonder backsliding is equated with a fall. A fall from the height can be highly devastating. This is why Paul enjoins us to keep pressing towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Indeed, for the climber that makes it to the top, there is a trophy. So also, for the believer. The wind would blow things against the believer like it blows against the climber; allowing that which is blown to cause a loss of grip can be calamitous, as it may lead to a huge fall. Therefore, like the climber, no matter what the world casts at us as believers in our journey to the top, we must endure and ensure we do not lose grip or foothold, so that we may finish well and strong.
What is it that the world is sending your way to discourage you from the pursuit of your God ordained calling? It is aimed only at one thing: destruction. You will not be destroyed. To keep on, please focus only on Christ your coach even as you climb: look on to Him above the mountain you are climbing. Ignore everyone else just like the coach has instructed that we can only be His disciples if we would forgo father, mother, brothers and sisters. Looking back at that, or listening to their emotions in this journey, can be a huge distraction that may lead to a fall. Be resolute about your pursuit and be focused so that in the end you will hear the salutation, welcome thou good and faithful servant.
SOLUTION: Allow not the things in your past, the people in your past, the memories of your past or anything at all behind, to distract you from reaching forth to the things ahead. Lean absolutely on Christ for a victorious climb. You will not fail.
Please pray: Lord, I am not able to scale the heights by my own power: please help to keep my grips and footholds firm that I may never fall, in Jesus’ name. No matter how fierce or turbulent the worldly weather can be beating against the mountain as I climb, please keep me stable and take me to the very top by your Spirit, in Jesus’ name.
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