Devotional from January 2025 Christian Union National Fast
By Justin Yim, Ministry Director of Christian Union Gloria Law at Harvard Law School
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: 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 ESV
I’ve participated in the Boston Marathon for a few years now—not as a runner, but as a volunteer, to be clear! Every year that I watch the elite runners run past the last water station towards the finish line—sweat pouring down their face, muscles burning, and exhaustion weighing heavily—I ask how they can run over 26 miles in less than 3 hours. I imagine their eyes are fixed on the tape ahead, not on the pain or the miles they’ve already covered. With every ounce of strength, that final push brings them to victory. This image echoes the message of Philippians 3:13-14: the Christian life is not a sprint but a marathon. It’s a journey of perseverance, focus, and pressing forward toward the prize.
The Apostle Paul uses vivid imagery to remind us that life in Christ is about forward momentum and the long view to guaranteed glory. He admits that he hasn’t “taken hold of it” yet. For Paul, the ultimate goal is Christ Himself—knowing Him fully, being transformed into His likeness, and receiving the eternal reward of being with Him—this is what drives him! But how does Paul say we press on toward this prize?
Forgetting What Is Behind
Paul emphasizes the necessity of leaving behind what could hinder us. This doesn’t mean we ignore our past—whether victories or failures—but that we refuse to let it define or distract us. Past successes can make us complacent, while past failures can lead to guilt or despair. The runner doesn’t look back during the race because looking back slows them down. Likewise, we are called to fix our gaze ahead on Christ, leaving behind anything that weighs us down. Paul’s words convey effort, determination, and intentionality. This isn’t a casual stroll but a disciplined pursuit of God’s purposes. To strain forward means we resist the urge to settle for less or grow weary in the pursuit. It requires fixing our eyes on the ultimate goal: the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Fixing Our Eyes on the Prize
The “prize” Paul refers to is not simply heaven but the fullness of life in Christ—to be with Him for all of eternity. This is a call to a life of deeper intimacy with Jesus now and the eternal joy that awaits us. It’s a reminder that our race is not aimless. Our lives have a purpose and an eternal destination. It is how the Scriptures call us to live — to live in the eternal hope, a guaranteed hope that is Christ. And in doing so, every situation, every circumstance, every trial & tribulation diminishes in its power to bring fear and anxiety.
To help bring this home, consider the words of C.S. Lewis: “Aim at heaven, and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth, and you will get neither.” Paul challenges us to aim at heaven, setting our eyes on Christ as our greatest treasure and reward.
As we run this race, we do so in God’s grace and strength. Christ has already secured the prize for us through His death and resurrection. Our role is to faithfully press on, trusting that He will complete the work He began in us.
Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us heavenward in Christ Jesus. Help us to leave behind what hinders us and fix our eyes on the prize of knowing You more deeply. Give us the strength to persevere. Amen.
