Getting There

Fergus Buchanan June 19, 2025 1 1

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Philippians 3: 7-11 (NIVUK)

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 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 9 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 God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

When people ask, how are you? I very often say, “I’m getting there.” It seems the most honest response these days. I’m not completely healthy and who can say that they are entirely happy or utterly content? There is always a sense in which we are reaching for something better and that is what might surprise us about the words of the apostle Paul.  When describing where he is on his spiritual journey He says:

‘I want to know Christ – yes to know the power of his resurrection and participating in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.’

This is the man who had personal revelations of the Risen Christ, who felt very deeply a sense of His presence, who suffered so much in His service and could claim to have shared His sufferings. And yet Paul still says, ‘I want to know Christ...’  To be even closer to Him, to experience more of His power, to be more committed in His service even to the point of sacrifice. As far as Paul is concerned, he is just getting there.   There is so much more he needs to know, to experience, and to give.  

This is spiritual integrity. To think we have it all in the life of faith: nothing more to learn, nothing more to experience is the worst of delusions. We have known Christ, we have experienced His power, we have served but we are not finished with Him. And he has not finished with us. We are in a state of ‘getting there’ so that he might lead us more deeply into Him.  

Prayer:

Lord Jesus,

We want to be closer to You. Lead us more deeply into yourself as we reflect on your Word read and preached, as we keep silence in the midst of challenges, as we respond to the needs of anyone in need. Help us never to lose faith in Your power to renew. Never let us cringe from the giving of ourselves as we seek to be faithful in service. Amen.