Focus On The Goal
by Dan Jones, M.D.
Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers, 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.
After advising his friends in Philippi to “forget what is behind”, Paul encouraged them to “strain toward what is ahead”. He went on to say Paul himself would “press on toward the goal to win the prize”. Part of the reason for Paul’s amazing success was his ability to stay so focused on the goal to win the prize.
There were so many opportunities for Paul to be distracted from the goal. Paul was a tent-maker by trade and continued to work to support himself throughout his ministry. But he never let that “career” get in the way of his goal of sharing the gospel. Paul was loved by many of the churches where he worked. Paul was surely tempted to remain as a permanent pastor to the church in one of those communities he loved best. This would have been a fulfilling life’s work. But this was not the goal God had in mind for Paul. He stayed focused in a single-minded way to fulfilling God’s plan in his life.
I consider focus to be an important gift from God. He has used it in some individuals to accomplish marvelous works. I believe God led President Lincoln to stay focused on the unity of our country through the dark days of the Civil War. Emancipating the slaves was important and eventually accomplished through President Lincoln. But his making preservation of the Union his top priority made it possible for us to be one strong country today. Lincoln was blessed with unusual focus.
A friend is a gifted musician. When people hear him sing gospel songs, they are always blessed. His talent appears to be sufficiently strong to allow a career in music. But my friend took his life in another direction working in the business world. Because of some negative church experiences in his life, he did not want to pursue a career through the church. For several years he resisted what was God’s plan for him. Finally, God brought him to a place of surrender and he started a path of training and work in order to “press toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called”. Today he is being used by God to bless many through his gifts of music and preaching. He is grateful God gave him an opportunity for a new start.
Lord, keep me focused on the prize. Help me to strain toward what is ahead in fulfilling your plan in my life. Thank you for the gift of new starts.
Dan Jones, M.D., MACP, FAHA, a board-certified Internist, a former medical missionary to Korea, professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Chancellor of the University of Mississippi until 2015. Dr. Dan Jones is a member of CMDA.
Dr. Jones welcomes any comments or questions about what he has written and can be reached at - djones@umc.edu
Rounds with the Master, Spiritual Pearls from the Great Physician Devotionals are released every Monday and Thursday.
Photo by Anastase Maragos on Unsplash
