Philippians 3:12-16 – “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule; let us be of the same mind.” NKJV

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was reminded of something the LORD had spoken to my heart years ago.  Always remember that you are a ‘Work in Progress,’ not the ‘Finished Product.’ There have been times when it has been quite a challenge for me personally, and in my dealings with others.  We all want perfection or completion NOW! God is a God of the NOW, but does not always do things in our NOW!

As I mused on this passage, I realized several songs filled my consciousness.   Unfortunately, some of them highlight or justify our humanness and sinfulness rather than focus on His perfection, promise, and purpose for us and in us.

Paul understood that he was not perfect, but that did not prevent him from striving for that lofty goal.  He was driven by the ambition and desire to fully apprehend and comprehend the Lord Jesus Christ in His fullness.  We would do well to adopt Paul’s manner of life and worldview.

He Acknowledged His Deficiency.   He had not arrived at the state of spiritual perfection. He knew he would make mistakes and possibly hurt others, but he kept pressing forward.

He Had a Clear Objective.   He sought spiritual perfection. He was not expecting to suddenly become perfect when he got to heaven, but to manifest Jesus now in this life on earth.

He Got His Thinking Right.   He said, “This one thing I do…”   What thing?  “I Forget those things that are behind (the past life), and I Reach for those things that are to be attained. I Press Toward the Mark.”   That’s the key – He invested everything to become what God said he was!

He Walked or Lived What He Had Learned in Christ. He encouraged others to walk fully in the level of light they had attained. We should never try to walk in the light of another, but in the level of light we have attained in Jesus. We never expect others to be exactly like us in our thoughts, beliefs, gifts, abilities, or commitments. We embrace the reality that we are individual cells within the same body, and all are needed.

None of us has arrived, but all of us can be who God has designed and desired us to be! All of us can manifest Jesus! All of us can proclaim the gospel. We can all live as overcomers and be lights shining in the darkness.

Therefore, as we go through this day and every day, let’s embrace the lessons of that day. Let’s learn from our mistakes and victories. Let’s embrace this truth – “I Can Do ALL THINGS through Christ Who strengthens me!” How many things? ALL THINGS! Nothing is impossible with God, and nothing is impossible for us as we live in Him, and He lives in us!

May your day progress to perfection!