Jesus Started It

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.
Philippians 3:12  

We all have goals. How about these:
I want to lose 20 pounds.
I want to start my own company.
I want to get married.
I want to travel to Vietnam.

We have lots of goals and expend mental energy tracking those goals. This time, money, and planning invested show a goal's level of importance.
Think about some of your goals. Which ones are you pursuing?

Paul, after talking about his desire to be like Jesus even through suffering in order to reach the goal of resurrection into Christ’s presence, reminds the Philippians that this is his supreme goal. He is not yet fully in the place he wants to be. Remember back in 1:21 Paul states, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Paul’s desire is to faithfully pursue the life of faith until he can know Christ fully.
And here he plays with words because as he is trying to make the goal of knowing Christ his own, he states that the ground for this pursuit is that Christ Jesus made him his own. Jesus started it all.
One can imagine Paul thinking back to the Damascus Road(Acts 9) and the literal call from Jesus to leave his former way of living for a life devoted to serving Jesus and the church.

The more we want to know Jesus and include him in our lives, the more we realize he started it all. He made the humble first move. He extended his hand of welcome. It was his voice that called us out of darkness into his light(John 1:1-5). Jesus started it all.

Christ Jesus,
You started it all. You made the first move, that has brought salvation into our lives. Move us, by your Spirit, to press on in faith. Move us to be consistent in our love for one another, our service to others, our commitment to the truth of scripture, and our faithful patience for your return. Help us to make knowing you, the goal that captivates our soul's affections. Thank you for your initiative and faithful love. Amen