Philippians 3:10-16
This applies to any lifestyle change you want to make.
The key is to keep trying.
"Wait a minute. This isn't where I want to be."
"I don't belong here."
Closeness with God is not a "place."
"I haven't arrived."
#1. Closeness Means Focusing on What Matters Most.
And he changed from the inside out.
To know Jesus and to be like Him.
"I'm not there yet."
More than anything else, I want to know Jesus.
#2. Closeness Means Forgetting About the Past.
Forgetting the past.
It's not about erasing the past or pretending it never happened.
But he no longer let those days define who he is and who he is going to be.
The sooner we let go, the better off we'll be.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV)
"This is who you are, this is who you'll always be."
#3. Closeness Means Pressing On Every Day.
"I'm giving this everything I've got. All my effort."
All throughout the day we're putting ourselves back in the right position.
It means getting up and trying again.
For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again. (Proverbs 24:16)
"My country did not send me 5000 miles to start the race. They sent me to finish it."
We’re here to finish the race.
The best part is that He is with you, always.
Draw close to me and I will draw close to you.