by Happy Caldwell
God has a plan for each of us.... But the fulfilling of that assignment—no matter how grand or impactful—is not
THE Prize
The Apostle Paul was quite a man. He had a list of credentials that would make most Hebrews of his day jealous—or at least stand in awe. He was impressive, plain and simple.
Just look at the list he detailed out in Philippians 3:5-6: “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”
Paul made it clear that if anyone could boast about his own accomplishments or status, he could. He was a model of the perfect religious man. He was a Hebrew of Hebrews. He was raised right and lived full of zeal.
I’ve fallen in love with this passage of Scripture, but not because of Paul’s lengthy list of credentials. What I love is what he said next, in verses 7-8: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”
BVOV : 21
