A winning mindset

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal.  –Philippians 3:10-12a (NIV)
 
Faith is not a fad diet. It isn’t “one and done”. It’s a life-long pursuit of excellence – God’s best for our lives. Paul saw his life as a process of transformation into the knowledge and likeness of Christ. Yes, he was saved, but he did not consider himself fully formed.
 
We will not “arrive” until we are glorified at the return of Christ. But the life we live in Christ is NOT an exercise in “running out the clock” and hoping we don’t screw it up. Christians don’t play “prevent defense” – we blitz on fourth down!
 
But I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  –Philippians 3:12b-13a (NIV)
 
The idea of ongoing development, growth, and deepening intimacy is actually really exciting. He isn’t done with me. My future is secure, so I can anticipate tomorrow, knowing He is already there. What does He have in store for me?
 
I stole this from a friend and I think it’s good: “Salvation isn’t a life insurance policy; it’s a birth certificate.” It isn’t a contract stipulating a future benefit to claim upon death, but an invitation to enter into a new life that begins now.
 
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.  –Philippians 3:13b-14 (NIV)
 
Does my past matter? Yes – it reminds me of what I was rescued from. But I will not let my past paralyze me or define my future. Living in the past, whether it was good or bad, takes my focus off today.
 
To “win the prize” is to know Jesus. He is the prize. Heaven is one of the multiple blessings of salvation, but heaven is not the prize. Jesus is the prize. The thing that will make heaven heavenly is living in the presence of the One we love for eternity.
 
All of us, then, 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. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.  –Philippians 3:15-16 (NIV)
 
In order to be successful, a team has to envision their own success. They might be good, even very good. But until they believe their time has come, though they may be competitive, they aren’t ready to win. We have to see ourselves as champions before we can be champions.
 
That belief is bolstered by a coach who has been there. He sees his club, he has invested in them, developed them, knows their capabilities, and is uniquely positioned to instill them with the confidence needed to win. That’s the scenario Paul is describing. The investment that Christ has made and is making enables, empowers, and encourages, letting Paul know his race is not only worthwhile; it’s winnable. So it is for us. Will we believe we are who He has prepared us and declared us to be?