This was shared as a word of encouragement for a women’s prayer group.

[It has been edited for this blog post.]

If you can’t see the video, click this link: https://youtu.be/e8LAdMwCjxY

12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. 16 In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. 17 Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame; and they are focused on earthly things. 20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself. [CSB]
Philippians 3:12-21

14 I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [AMP]

14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. [NIV]

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [KJV]

There are 3 things we must pursue to reach God’s goal: pursue the mark, pursue the forerunner and pursue the heavenly calling.

Pursue the mark

Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. [NIV]

Pursue the forerunner

Hebrews 6:20 where Jesus has entered [in advance] as a forerunner for us, having become a High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. [AMP]

Pursue the heavenly calling

Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [NIV]

We all have the same 2 purposes in life; to glorify God and serve others. How we do that is our calling. Think of Thanksgiving dinner. The purpose for all families is to enjoy a good meal together. How that meal is prepared comes in many different ways.

To pursue God’s goal we have to pursue ‘the mark’, pursue the forerunner and pursue the heavenly calling. Some of us may feel like our pursuits have been for not. Or in the wrong direction. Or produced no harvest. Yet, God doesn’t miss the mark. The forerunner laid out the course and all we have to do is answer the call that’s whispering directly in our ear so we can pursue God’s goal. And that goal is to be the prize that brings God glory.

If you want to give your life to Christ, say this prayer below.