Topic: Towards The Goal
Text: Philippians 4:12-16
Key Verse: I run toward the goal so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done. – Philippians 3:14 CEV
Life is a race from birth to death, we travel through different seasons, but the goal is the prize of our calling. It is not uncommon to see hurdles; it is not strange that every season will present fresh opportunities and challenges. But Apostle Paul admonishes the need to maintain the proper focus through all the seasons.
Everything on earth has its own time and its own season. – Ecclesiastes 3:1 CEV
What season are you in? Are you able to identify the opportunities it presents? You may miss seasonal fruits if you don\’t take notice, and you may have to wait another year before you see them again.
There are opportunities to study and learn new skills ( teaching, communication, cooking, baking, farming, IT, Management, technical etc.), languages, and methods of doing things better and faster. God may bring new relationships your way at work, in your neighbourhood, in church and online; what will you do with these? How will you incorporate these into your journey as you focus on winning the prize?
Transitions are not idle moments; there are investment opportunities in your life that God brings your way in that season. Focus today on those people; who are they? What are their needs, and how can you serve them better? What are they offering you? Are you ready to receive and be blessed?
What would life have been without all the women who followed Jesus? How would their absence have been felt if Jesus didn\’t encourage female disciples? How would Paul\’s missionary journeys have been if he had travelled alone through the different cities and regions?
Soon after this, Jesus was going through towns and villages, telling the good news about God\’s kingdom. His twelve apostles were with him, and so were some women who had been healed of evil spirits and all sorts of diseases. One of the women was Mary Magdalene, who once had seven demons in her. Joanna, Susanna, and many others had also used what they owned to help Jesus and his disciples. Joanna\’s husband Chuza was one of Herod\’s officials. – Luke 8:1-3 CEV
Pause and consider the people God has given you; this is your moment with them; savour it, leverage on it as you keep your eyes on your pursuit of the prize.
You are better off to have a friend than to be all alone because then you will get more enjoyment out of what you earn. If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble. If you sleep alone, you won\’t have anyone to keep you warm on a cold night. Someone might be able to beat up one of you, but not both of you. As the saying goes, \”A rope made from three strands of cord is hard to break.\” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 CEV
Prayer
Father, grant me a discerning heart to nurture old and new relationships and reap the benefits of the opportunities in this season in Jesus\’ name. Amen
Pastor Ada
Photo by Mārtiņš Zemlickis on Unsplash