Dare to DreamSample

What dream are you pursuing?

“One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14 ESV)

Yesterday we read how Jesus achieved His goal in spite of the great cost. Today we read about Paul. He too was chasing a dream: the heavenly prize God had promised him. That's where he focused all his efforts. That defined his focus and enabled him to persevere and endure difficulties.

This was not simply a personal choice on Paul's part. He writes emphatically, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)

So what is this heavenly prize that Paul so longed for? It is to know Christ Jesus and be one with Him (Philippians 3:8-9). So actually, Paul's dream is exactly what Jesus had in mind! Jesus made it possible for all redeemed people to be with Him in heaven. Paul wanted nothing more than this. He wrote, “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” (Philippians 1:23 ESV) But Paul's dream was not limited to his own eternal future. He desperately wanted others to discover this treasure as well. And to that goal Paul devoted himself fervently by spreading the Gospel.

What dream are you chasing? How does it connect to Jesus' vision of the future?