Are you Dissatisfied?

Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12-14, AMP)

I would like to do a study with you on Philippians 3:12-14. Each week I will share one essential for running the race in Christ! Come with me on a journey to discover what it truly means to run for Jesus! Let’s get our minds fixed on eternal things and run with a clear focus!

Let’s take a look at what Paul has to say in Philippians 3:12-13 and learn about the first essential for running the race. Along with this study, I will share 4 secrets to keeping a victorious mindset.

1st Essential ~ DISSATISFACTION

“Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet…”

We see in the first part of this verse that Paul has a dissatisfaction for where he’s at in his walk with the Lord. The man who wrote a good portion of the New Testament, was responsible for discipling many, sharing the Gospel to more people than we can count, and writing while he sat in prison. He was discontent with his present status in the Christian walk. That’s the first essential to running our race.

If we are content with where we are at, then we will never strive to go beyond it. If we are satisfied with our walk, accepting the place we currently occupy, then we will never run. We need to constantly have a hunger for something more. We will never reach perfection on this earth, but it is something we can strive for every day.

Every day we have an opportunity to wake up and run harder than we did the day before. Every day presents new obstacles and new challenges. We need to see these obstacles as opportunities for growth. In fact, that’s our secret for the week. This week, when you face an obstacle in your spiritual walk, your job, your emotional being, your physical body, your friendship, marriage, parenthood, etc. see it as an opportunity for growth. Ask the Lord how He wants to develop your spiritual muscles through the obstacle.

Together let’s face dead on, the places we have become satisfied and ask God to increase our hunger to strive after Him. Let’s not be concerned with the race that our friends are running or compare ourselves to anyone around us. Let’s look to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Let’s run after Him, seeking God’s best and only look for the reward that He will one day offer us.

Will you run with me this week? Will you take the time to evaluate where you have become content in your walk with the Lord? Let us become dissatisfied with where we are so we can run with our eyes fixed on Jesus, looking forward to all that is ours in Him!

Lord, You know where I have become content and lost my drive to run. Please renew my mind for this race. Lord, help me to be dissatisfied with my current walk and strive for something better this year. Please make me aware of the places that I have settled for less than Your best for my life.

Dissatisfied with where I am and Striving for more in Jesus,