There is sadness and pain in reviewing Jesus’ ordeal on the cross. There is joy in the empty tomb. There is confidence in His ascension to heaven. But our highest heavenly perspective comes from walking with Jesus toward the cross, understanding His resurrection from the tomb from this side of eternity, knowing He reunites with the Father in heaven to rule and come again for all His followers and that this whole scenario, too, is our future destiny and goal. Easter is fundamentally about what is beyond Easter.
Not that I have already obtained it all or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on and reach out to Christ Jesus who first reached out to me. Brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God has called me in Christ Jesus. All of us who are spiritually mature agree on this. And if you disagree, God will make that clear. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. Brothers and sisters, keep your eyes on those who walk like we do. For others walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their appetite, and they brag about their shame. They only think about earthly things. But we are citizens in heaven where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we eagerly await His return as Savior. Using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control, He will transform our weak mortal bodies to be like His glorious body. Philippians 3: 12-21
From a first reading of this passage in Philippians, without looking at the whole context, it is easy to think that it is about making progress in just doing it, whatever good things we are led to do, that gives us security in our relationship with Christ and protection in our relationship with the world. But we learn that it is more about the shoring up of our faith holes and focusing on the whole wall, fully restored by Him, that glorifies God.
Those who have no faith are enemies of the Easter cross of Jesus. They see no need for sin to be dealt with. They don’t recognize sin or wrongdoing, “If it feels good, do it, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone, it’s okay.” They think their appetite is natural and shame is artificial. They don’t think beyond the things of earth and pooh-pooh their own destruction, “Live how you like, until you die, that’s all there is!”
Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection gives us hope and confidence that we too will have resurrected bodies and a life ahead with God. BUT WE … are already citizens in heaven and transformed beings!
We have His power to live differently NOW. But it is a journey of pressing on and reaching beyond Easter toward Christ and the eternity of heaven. Of being encouraged by others who are walking with us toward Jesus in the same way. This is spiritual maturity!
The highest glory to God is not in the doing of things for Him, but the WHY we are doing those things.
Ask yourself:
How am I pressing on and reaching out to Christ, no matter what?
How am I focusing on Christ who is ahead and not on my past?
How am I fueling the progress of my journey with Christ, not feeling stuck?
How am I encouraging others to see Christ as the goal, as I am?
How am I eager and engaging others about the day Christ is revealed to all?
This is how we keep our progress in Him living eternally, not in the things of this world that imitate Him and make us momentarily feel better. Live in Him, here and now! But look towards His return and the joy of His kingdom come.
Heavenly Christ, You have reached out to me, I want to reach back to You always. I want to press on. I want to see You in everything I do. You are my all in all. Amen.
happy hunger 
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