Traveling Light

From the Devotion Book An Uncovered Life

Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:12-14

Our culture today glorifies accumulation, exalts growth, and encourages, at almost any cost, the amassing of resources. When asked what entails the American dream, 61% of Americans said that financial security was their most sought after passion. Oddly, the pursuit of wealth and prosperity has become a favorite topic of many Christian authors, preachers, and consultants. Odd, because Scripture makes clear that the Kingdom of God, and not earthly possessions, is to be the ultimate pursuit of God’s people.

Within this societal context, the admonition of Paul to the Philippians seems even more out of step with conventional wisdom. The apostle makes clear that less, not more, is actually preferable on the journey of faith. “…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” (Philippians 3:13,14). Paul calls the passionate follower of Christ to lay things down rather than accumulate, and in so doing one may have assurance that the eternal prize may be gained. Rather than accruing more baggage, we should cast several things aside.

First, we should get rid of the guilt of past failures. Those things are not only behind us but if we have confessed them, Christ has covered and washed them in His blood and they now find a resting place in the sea of forgetfulness. Sadly, many believers today find forward progress difficult because of the weight of guilt that has built up over the years of their spiritual pilgrimage. This need not be case for the child of God.

Second, we should lay aside our tendency to bask in the glory of previous accomplishments and keep our eyes fully focused on the pursuit of His holiness. Often the relished memories of past victories and the trophies of spiritual achievement become excessive weight that hinder our faithful running of the spiritual race. Paul warned the believer of this trap and encouraged them to travel light.

Finally, we must put off the burdensome baggage of peer watching that robs far too many Christians of the spiritual vitality needed to press toward the prize. Often believers engage the practice of analyzing the holiness and passion of others. Their pre-occupation with the spiritual pursuits of fellow believers, too frequently, stalls their own progress. The weight of such judgmental arrogance serves only to hinder the hope of genuinely attaining knowledge of the wonder of Christ’s presence.

Less is better when it comes to spiritual development. There is much to lay aside so that the object of our spiritual pursuit may remain clearly in view as we press on toward the prize. Wallowing in defeats of the past, for some, seems somehow spiritual. Rehearsing victories of the days gone by can provide temporary satisfaction and judging others serves to bolster our own egos and mask our own inadequacies. However, each of these practices will most assuredly hinder the hope of knowing Jesus better. We must forget what is behind and intently focus upon and pursue the goal of personal intimacy with Christ.