Crowded into the tight confines of the visitor’s locker room, the embattled players settled to one knee as their coach paced back and forth, slapping the remains of the mangled playbook against his leg with every nervous step. He was disheveled and battle worn, yet his eyes remained level and focused. What had passed as a tie and freshly pressed shirt only an hour ago now look like a crumpled sheet caught in a hangman’s noose. He stopped and held his breath as the last of the players quickly silenced their rustling and directed their eyes upon his.
The halftime ritual they are performing is vital to the outcome of the game. It’s a time to focus, to recommit to the game plan and make adjustments that will determine success or failure. From the sidelines, the coach has sympathetically absorbed every hit of the opposition. But now, bolstered by determination and steeled by experience, he leans forward, looks into the faces of his team and whispers, “People, I have been where you are and I know that at this point the victory is not complete. But ONE THING I KNOW… Forget what is behind and press toward what is ahead! Press on toward the goal to win the prize. You are called to this!”
His intense presence commands their respectful silence as he continues, “This much I do know: you can do anything through Christ who is the source of your strength!” And at that—at the name of Jesus—the congregation raises one voice in chorus and scrambles toward the parking lot…
Wait a minute! What happened to the football game?
Perhaps you’re motivated by this scene, perhaps you’ve experienced something similar. I know I have. As I consider the familiar verses paraphrased by the coach, I am personally struck by the explosive motivation that can be drawn from these uncomplicated statements:
“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus… I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 3:13-14 and 4:13
As Christians, each of us has a calling and prize to win. It’s very important to understand that we aren’t expected to win the game alone. We are encouraged to function as a team along the way—to accept our assignments and rely on the help and encouragement of other fellow believers. I’m a huge fan of the local church family. Being a part of a bigger team (a local congregation) is absolutely vital; to choose a team, to practice with that team and to play with that team. This ONE THING I KNOW!
Jesus, I know You are right here to help me do the things I should. I recognize You promise to strengthen my resolve to part of Your church. Give me the love and compassion to be a blessing to others both in the church and in my community. Amen.
Please take the next few days during your devotional time and consider these important Scriptures.
Day One: Read Romans 12:4-5
“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
- Consider ways you bless others by your active participation in the body of Christ.
- What benefits does a single part receive from the rest of the body?
- What benefits does an individual believer receive from the church?
- What are some ways we may demonstrate that we “belong to all the others”?
Day Two: Read 1 Corinthians 12:1214
“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.”
- What do you think the Bible means when it says, “The body is a unit”?
- As you think of the church as one body, what are some of its body parts?
- According to these verses, who or what is the glue that holds the body of Christ together?
- What’s the math here? The many equals one, and the one equals _____________?
Day Three: Read Philippians 3:1314
“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
- What do you think Paul has not “yet to have taken hold of…”?
- What one thing has he taken hold of?
- How important is your past compared to your future in this verse?
- What do you believe is the prize for which God has called us heavenward?
Day Four: Read Philippians 4:13
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
- Can we actually do “everything” through Christ? Why or why not?
- Why did Paul say we “can do everything through Christ” and not, “we can do anything”?
- Why do you think the verse doesn’t stop at through Christ?
- What are some ways that you have received strength through Christ?