Today, with interest I read a very heart-speaking piece by Daniel Henderson (Awakenings). It is my hope that it speaks to you as it did to me……
my Upward Walk continues....
The Positive “Pathway of Price”
The challenge we face in today’s world is that we can actually prefer the commonplace pathway of our easy idols. It is the “broad way” of our culture and a difficult thing to relinquish.
That is why we have to turn our eyes on Jesus – so that the things of earth might grow strangely dim. He is our model in all things. Even though He knew all the glories of Heaven and had authority over the riches of this world, He described His lifestyle as one where He did not even have a place to lay His head (Matthew 8:20). No single life has transformed this world more than His, but His impact was completely unrelated to His net worth. It was directly connected to His selfless sacrifice.
In Philippians 3:7-8, Paul shows us how he was walking in the pathway of Christ. Paul counted all reliance on formal learning, social status, and notable accomplishments as “rubbish” or “dung”. The idea of “counting as loss” represents an accounting term and reflects a deliberate business transaction that rejects certain assets to gain something more valuable.
Although a brilliant, accomplished, and gifted leader in every respect, Paul always pursued the pathway of price. We read about the detailed losses he faced in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. This list included a variety of dangers, life-threatening situations, and incredible traumas. This was all a testament of his resolve to be a “servant of Christ” – but in all of these situations, he received abundant grace and was laying up a sure reward in eternity.
Today, you may be facing loss. Consider the example of Paul. Turn your eyes on Jesus. Open your heart to the incalculable “gains” of knowing Christ. No matter what, keep living for the ultimate prize of a life that really matters.
