Jesus is my prize

One of my favourite passages in the Bible is Philippians 3:7-11:

"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead."

How can anyone read this and not be challenged? How can anyone not look deep into their heart and ask themselves if they love Jesus this way; if they love Jesus so much that they want to participate in his sufferings? When I read this I picture Paul dictating this letter, his heart burning with love for Jesus and I long to feel that kind of love. Because it is only when we love Jesus that much that we are prepared to risk everything.

I have not lost everything for Christ in the sense that Paul had but I want to be prepared to do so. Nothing in my life comes close to the value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. He is the great prize of my life. He towers above everything else in his great beauty and worth. I know this to be true and yet, and yet.....why, when I am spending time with him, does my mind drift to other things? Why am I so reluctant to get out of bed in the morning and do my devotions? Why do I wonder how much longer my Bible passage is when I am reading, rather than listening for the voice of God that speaks to me through Scripture?

Am I playing at being a follower of Christ or am I laying my life down for him - gladly, willingly - because everything else is a loss, compared to the surpassing worth of knowing and serving Christ Jesus my Lord?

Today, I commit myself to going all out for Christ because he is worth it. Will you join me?