“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” — Philippians 3:12
Are you satisfied? Good…and not good. The Apostle Paul was satisfied and discontent at the same time, and you should be too. Warren Wiersbe commented on Paul’s words from Philippians 3:12, saying, “Obviously, Paul was satisfied with Jesus Christ, but he was not satisfied with his Christian life. A sanctified dissatisfaction is the first essential to progress in the Christian race.” You, like Paul, ought to be satisfied that you have a Savior in Christ and that you need not look for anything beyond Him, but you should never be content in your desire to see His work in your life and in the world. Continue to strive in Christian ambition.
Think of it like this, there is no athlete that will ever have a perfect career, no quarterback will
get the touchdown every time, no Olympic gymnast will always get perfect 10s. Ty Cobb holds the highest career batting average in the history of baseball, yet he only hit the ball 4 out of every 10 times he stepped up to bat. The best athletes know they will never reach perfection but they are satisfied in their sport. What makes them great is the joy they find as they press on; they never stop trying to push through the struggle. They are content in their sport, yet they strive to be better and better at it.
Christian, you’ve already made Christ’s team and you will never lose your spot on the roster. Jesus has made you His own. Take comfort in that fact, but do not settle with a mediocre Christianity. Do not settle that the people around you would have a mediocre faith. Do as the Apostle Paul did, and, “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). Find joy in the fact that you strive toward Christ; help others do the same. This, brothers and sisters, is sanctified dissatisfaction, and this is the glorious life we lead.
Pastor Josh