Philippians 3:13 “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,”
As a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, teacher, employee, employer, and the list goes on, a woman has demands that can almost be overwhelming. However, when the main goal is kept in focus the prize overshadows this feeling.
I remember the days of being a full-time wife, mom, teacher, youth worker, and whatever else was needed in a mission church. I loved every minute of it, and somehow found slots to fit everything. Those were very happy days, as we labored to promote Christ to a lost and dying world in the Richmond, Virginia area. There were many services, at the beginning, where our kids were the only school-age kids at church. The Pastor had two preschool children at that time. Our children were afforded the opportunity to be involved in mission work from the ground up. It allowed them the privilege of working hard and experiencing the joy of seeing people come to Christ. It lays the groundwork for being pastors and servants of Christ now.
Our boys remember well going to a cinder block building that was rented to have church. Before the Sunday morning service my husband, the boys, along with another member, would go early to set things up. Most mornings involved opening all the doors to allow the smell of alcohol to filter out. Then they would sweep the powder off the floor used the night before for dancing. Next, chairs would be set up for service, homemade partitions would be hung for Sunday School classes, and then the fire was built in the wood-burning stove.
It was so exciting to see people come to Christ regularly. In many ways, those were trying days, but very precious days. Life was good as the church grew and we made lifelong friends. Some were saved before they began to attend, but many were those God granted us the privilege of leading to him. To me, it didn’t matter what obstacles were in the way if the final goal was the salvation of souls. I never remember a time when we didn’t think the church would make it. It involved a lot of hard work. When there are only a few, you learn to do a little of everything. God was very good, and in a little over five years the church became self-supporting.
When I read the verse in Philippians 3:13, I am reminded of all the different areas of ministry God has granted us. A lot has happened in the past 47 + years, but God has always given us a desire to look to the future.
Paul had a desire to look to the future. He had one great aim and purpose in life. He did not attempt to gain the world and religion. He did not seek wealth or honor from men. He had a singleness of purpose. We too need to have a single great aim and purpose of the soul. Everything we do ought to be centered on honoring and glorifying Christ. I Corinthians 10:31 gives us that command.
I Corinthians 19:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
We should not allow the world to distract us from what is important. There needs to be an urgency of the soul to win the lost, at any cost.
We have moved seven times in our marriage and each time God has given us wonderful opportunities to serve. In witnessing to people, many would ask what brought us to the area. My answer would be “God brought us here, but he used Alcoa to pay the bills.” That is exactly how we have felt.
We were leaving behind whatever happened yesterday and reaching forth to what God had ahead. We leave behind many sweet memories and life lessons, but they were yesterday. In a race, you never look behind, because that causes you to lose time and focus. We are to keep our focus forward. There is no time to waste. As we press forward for the prize, the goal is to impact and bring with us as many as possible. The quest is still as viable as ever. People still need to know Jesus, and we need to be steady, focused, and reaching toward the prize.
Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Christians must have a single purpose for the soul that we have in view. Therefore, we need to avoid everything that would be in the way of this goal!
What things in life are weighing you down? What seems so important that it keeps you from making visits just to tell others about Jesus? When you stand before God, will those excuses that keep you from serving with all of your heart, and witnessing to others for the salvation of their souls, seem as important as they seem now? Think about it!
