Trust Me, You’re Not All That

Thursday March 10, 2022

Created by Ethan Roberts

Philippians 3:2–12 (NIV)

2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh — 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Devotion

It’s been Lent for a week now. Just enough time for us to get into our grooves and feel like we have really accomplished something via your practices. Maybe you gave up sweet desserts and have resisted the urge every time so far. Perhaps you have resolved to volunteer more and you have already done so much more than you did in the past two months. It may just be that you are feeling super connected to God. After reading today’s verses from Saint Paul, I think he would have one question for us: so what?

We should be proud of the personal growth we have already made during our Lenten journey. It is important, however, to not get too far ahead of ourselves. There remains a great deal of desert to traverse. Paul had spent much of his life feeling like he had already won the race; checking off all the boxes that said he was a perfect example of faith. Then, Jesus showed up and radically changed his point of view. All of it was a loss for what knowing Christ could bring — hope, peace, and love beyond all understanding.

Our Lenten journey has just begun. It is easy right now to feel like we are cruising, but sometime during these forty days, Jesus is going to show up. We will be reminded that it was never about what we gave up, chose to do, or felt. Our Lenten journey is about experiencing the life and knowledge Paul dreamt for himself and us.

Prayer

God of Wisdom, fill us with your vision and strengthen us with your purpose, to take hold of your life made available for us in Christ Jesus: Amen.