Making It
Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Philippians 3:12
Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done. Luke 22:42
Insight
This afternoon I got the mail and had a reminder that my driver's license was expiring next month – what a blessing. I get to go to the DMV, stand in line, and take a new picture. Currently, I have long, curly hair down to the middle of my back and a 5 o'clock shadow, looking scruffy, while my current picture is the exact opposite. My hair is short, styled with gel, and I am wearing a shirt and tie. I was 28 then, and now I am 35, almost 36.
Having completed the personal retreat a few days before, the notice in the mail hit me a bit differently than normal. As I think back over the past several years and how I have changed, not only physically but spiritually and mentally, the word I choose each year is typically one that helps me to be more "disciplined." I'm not naturally driven – I have to work to get things done and see them through until the end, even writing this devotion.
While I haven't landed on my word for 2023 yet, I'm leaning toward that type of word...again. Do I feel like I should be "better" by now? Yes. Do I feel defeated that I still have to fight to be my best self and that it doesn't always come naturally to me? Yes. But I am encouraged by Philippians 3:12 – I haven't obtained perfection or reached the goal, but I am pressing on, simply because Jesus pressed on for me, and He fought for me, making me His own.
I love all of the scripture, well, most of it, but I appreciate those moments when I can resonate with who Jesus is as a person, fully God and fully man. I can very easily remember that Jesus came and died for me, while skipping over His actual life - that He had a life like me. The trials and temptations, the joy and the grief, the celebrations and reasons to be disheartened. Before Jesus went to the cross, He asked His Father if there was another way other than the cross. Jesus, the fighter of all fighters, wanted another way. But another way wasn't given, and Jesus died on the cross for me. Pressing on didn't come easy to Him, He fought and pressed on for me, and for you, and made us His own (Phil. 3:12).
So this year, as I choose my word, and as you choose yours– let's not let our lack of "making it" defeat us. We haven't reached the goal, and that is okay; it's actually more than okay - it's expected. We press on in Jesus' name because He has done the work of making us His own, which is enough.
Reflection
What pattern or rhythm do you have that you want to change but feel defeated because you tend never to make any headway?
What steps can you take to break through in that area?
Write down a specific prayer that you can pray to your Father each day that resets your mind and heart when you feel defeated.
Prayer
Father, our good, good Father, I am so, so dependent upon You. Help me to have the humility to see when I am trying to be independent, even in the smallest of situations. Help me to notice the grace and mercy that comes with each new morning and the grace found in the simplicity of each new day. I am Yours, Jesus; lead and guide me to press on for You, just as you have done for me. Not my will, but Yours be done, Father. I love You so much, and I pray all these things in Your name, Amen.
Dudley Raye, Connect Coordinator at the Wilmington Campus, wrote today's devotional.