Pastor’s Corner: “The Right Target”
Philippians 3:14 (AMP) – 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Matt Emmons was already an Olympic gold medalist in rifle shooting in 2004 and was set to win another event at Athens. He had a commanding lead and hoped to make a direct bull’s-eye on his last shot. But something went wrong—he hit the target, but he was aiming at the wrong one! That wrong focus dropped him to eighth place and cost him a medal.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he expressed the importance of focusing on the right target in our Christian life. Paul used the term “goal” in an illustration of an athlete running a race. Interestingly, the same word was also used of a target for shooting arrows. In both cases, the prospect of winning depends on being focused on the right goal.
Often failure in the Christian race comes because we forget or do not know what the goal is. For 10 years of my life, I thought my goal and purpose was to become the best Chef I could be. My identity and value was tied into this goal. I pursued this goal relentlessly. I sacrificed my time, my health and my marriage to achieve this goal. But with the awards and accolades came emptiness and sorrow for what I had lost. I had achieved my goal, but I was focused on the wrong prize. God’s plan, purpose and goal for my life was much superior than just being a great chef! I had set my sites way too low. As a result I was miserable. I was made for more and so are you!
Paul used to live his life pursuing a different prize. It was the prize of self-confidence. He pressed on toward the goal for the prize of being successful, of noteworthy achievement, of personal pride, of being in control. He had a lot to be proud of, “A Hebrew of Hebrews…under the law, blameless…”. Without a doubt, Paul had some great trophies for his trophy case. But living for these trophies was the temptation.
It doesn’t matter how good of a shot you are if you are focused on the wrong target! If we’re confused about the goal, our life will be spent going in the wrong direction. To pursue the prize, you have to be able to recognize the prize. What is the prize? Paul reveals the answer earlier in scripture. Philippians 3:8 (NIV) – 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. What does Paul want to gain? Christ! What has “surpassing worth? …that I may know him” (v. 10).
Paul made knowing Christ the most important thing in his life because nothing compares with knowing Christ. When Christ is our prize and our focus, we become like our savior. You were made to be like Christ. Your purpose, fulfilment and joy is found in a life focused on this goal – pointed heavenward. All sacrifice spent towards this end is gain rather than loss.
Each believer is on the track; each has a special lane in which to run; and each has this goal to achieve – to gain and know Christ, the prize above all prizes! If we fail to run the race or if we have a different goal other than Christ, we lose the reward, but we do not lose our citizenship. But wanting heaven without Christ is a great loss.
What is your focus today? Are you preoccupied with getting ahead and making life more comfortable? If you’re a believer, the right target to shoot for is to become more like the Son of God (2 Cor. 3:18). Make sure you are aiming at the right target! This is a worthy life to live for!
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton