Read: Philippians 3:12-14
SOAP: Philippians 3:14
Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
S: I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
O: Isn't refreshing to hear someone actually admit they're not perfect?! Paul is reminding the Philippians that he is NOT perfect. BUT that he is perfect in the eyes of Jesus. He tells them that he had not done these things on his own, but with the grace of Jesus. He has forgotten what was his past. Remember, Paul was once a very important and influential Jew. (Acts 9: 1-6/ 10-16) He put all that behind him to do Jesus' work.
And so he reminds us that in all that we do, it should be by the calling of Christ Jesus and that our prize awaits us in heaven. We are all made in God's image. None of us is perfect. And honestly, who would want to be? What would that leave us to accomplish? We would never change or grow. Anyone who claims to be perfect has some serious narcissistic issues.
I work for a doctor. She is a perfectionist. Living up to her standards has turned my life into one long nightmare. Everything I do is wrong. She'll even correct my sentences and tell me how it SHOULD be said. One time a pharmacy called about a prescription refill for a patient. Her reply was that she gives enough refills until the next visit and that if the patient was out of refills that would imply that she made a mistake and that she doesn't make mistakes. Oh Lord. Nothing worse than a doctor with a God complex.
We are the way God made us. We are imperfect creatures. God knows we will mess up from time to time. All we can do is to try our best to be pleasing to God. After all, He is the only one who really matters.
A: I love to do photography. I think I'm pretty good at it. But then when I sit down and look at the images I made, I am critical of what I did. I can only see the imperfections in it. And I'm the same way when I look in the mirror. I see the gray hairs. I see sadness. I see how overweight I am. I see all the imperfections. Instead, I should be seeing the person that God made me to be. I am caring, kind, empathetic. Yes, I have a short fuse at times. I get easily irritated at things (especially when I am cycling with my Bipolar). I'm not perfect. I shouldn't expect to be. As a friend once told me, I am wonderfully and fearfully made in God's image. I need to find a balance. I need to accept me for me, faults and all. But like Paul, I am the first to admit that I am not perfect. I hope I never will be. I want to please God. That's all. I want my life to reflect my love for Christ. And so, I journey on...
P: Father, we are reminded that You love us even with all our imperfections. You see us as Your creation. Let all that we do be in favor with You. And if it falls short, Father, let us remember to humble ourselves before You and ask for forgiveness. Amen.
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