Philippians 3: 12 -21 Lord of the Race

by Peter Brown

Alan’s sermon title and his story about being in a relay race in middle school got me thinking about the word race.  In the sense that Paul uses it, it brings back to my mind, as well, the thrill of seeing a track meet. East York stadium on Cosburn Avenue was nearby and often host to various district and regional track meets.  If you knew your way around, entry was not difficult.

Later, though the word race often came in the context of “rat race”.  Work pressure and deadlines meant effort beyond pleasant and often seemingly endless. It was sometimes hard to stay positive and “enjoy” the race. Not so thrilling!

The Philippians passage urges us to see our Christian journey as thrilling. Alan noted that our bedrock position is knowing Christ has claimed us as his own (verse 12b). What mercy; what grace. This is fixed and unchanging, no matter what else happens in the race.  Late in the passage, verse 21, Alan spoke of the promise of being transformed by Christ’s power.  He said we are being called to another level.  There is tremendous hope for us in this verse, which speaks of divine power.

Our constant distraction in the race is our focus on earthly things (vs 19).  During advent, I was moved by a Henri Nouwen quote:

I have found it very important to try to let go of my wishes and instead to live in hope. When I choose to let go of my wishes and trust that my life is precious and meaningful in the eyes of God, something really new, something beyond my own expectations begins to happen for me.  To wait with openness and trust is an enormously radical attitude to life. It is choosing to hope that something is happening for us that is far beyond our own imaginings. It is giving up control over our future and letting God define our life.

Some days, I get a glimpse.  And it’s thrilling!