Philippians 3:12—4:1 (NRSV) Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. 16 Only let us hold fast to what we have attained. 17 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. 1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
Cameras have wide-angle lenses, zooms, and adjust for lighting. Paul uses the wide-angle lens and the zoom feature of his spiritual camera. A woman giving birth is likely not worried about salt and pepper shakers being full. Someone doing taxes on April 15 does not care if shoelaces are equally long. People who want to enjoy every weekend may not wonder about Sunday’s hymns. Someone whose main dream is the big buck with bow and arrow every weekend during the fall is unlikely to miss seeing fellow members who worship Christ who died for their sins. Parents who want the “best” for their children can concentrate on the newest gadgets and games. None of these are “wrong,” but they can come front and center, close-up and all-consuming, instead of part of a big picture; larger issues of faith and life are set aside as meaningless. We all need guidance in spiritual matters, so we do not lose sight of eternity.
Bob Kolb, who taught many years at Concordia-St. Paul, often talked about a person’s identity, security, and meaning (ISM). Our identity is that we are children of the heavenly father, saved for all eternity by the love of Christ, delivered to us by the Spirit in baptism. Our security is that we are wrapped in the loving arms of a God who will let nothing pull us away from Him. Our meaning is that we use His gifts to love and forgive as we are loved and forgiven. He is in the center, not us.
Our future determines how we live at peace and fulfilled in the present, how we prioritize, what happens for sure each week. Paul calls us not to be enemies of the cross by concentrating on earthly things. Our children are wrapped in their ISM in Jesus as eternal Lord and Savior. Certainly, that food is part of our everyday diet for our families. But I want, and am called by you to encourage every member to worship every Sunday, especially that parents bring their children to celebrate the living fellowship of the body of Christ, for which I am so thankful to my parents. We pray, praise and give thanks. I pray that every member, especially the young who are dependent upon their parents, will be fed and nourished with what will last them for all eternity.
Pastor Tom Trapp, Mission Pastor
Walking the Emmaus Road with the Risen Lord
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XVI, Number 1, August 2014)