June 30, 2022 - Philippians 3:5-9

“I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.” Philippians 3:5-9 NLT

Lord, Paul had an impressive resumé as a Jew. He had the right blood line, the right training, he obeyed your law without fault, and he lived a zealous life that he thought was for you. He did all the right things and checked all the right boxes, yet when he looked at his life and accomplishments, he called them garbage. He recognized that no matter how good he was without knowing you his life was worthless. Lord, help us hear what Paul is saying to learn. Forgive us for the times we just check off the boxes and yet miss you. Quiet time – ✔️; went to church – ✔️; served at church – ✔️; prayed the sinner’s prayer with a coworker – ✔️✔️. All these things are good, but if we do them without taking the time to sit with you and get to know you, we have missed the mark. Those things should flow out of our time spent with you and not replace our time with you. Open our eyes to anytime those things get out of order. As we spend time at your feet, unify us with you and grow our faith in you. Let our lives revolve around you alone.

In Jesus name, amen.