I think it’s true to say that I am always inspired and challenged by Philippians 3. Inspired by the thought of counting all things as loss against the gain of “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ” (3:8). Challenged by the palatable passion of Paul as he “presses on” to “reach out” (MSG) and to “lay hold” (NKJV) of all that is promised him in Christ and to “make it His own” (3:12 ESV). So, as I noodled on Paul’s exhortation that those who “are mature” should “think this way” (3:15), I went back in my journal and read some of my thinking from years gone by. A post from 2013 particularly grabbed me, so thought I’d rework it a bit. Perhaps because — 12 years later — I’m still a fan of America’s Got Talent, The Voice, and American Idol. But more so because I’m still in awe of the privilege to pursue an upward call.

I’m a sucker for talent shows. Not the type where they mock and ridicule people who think they have talent, but the type of show where they give those with legitimate talent a shot. And there’s a continuum of competitors. On the one end of the continuum there is the guy, or gal, who think they deserve to be there and that it’s the world’s good fortune that it finally gets the chance to discover how talented they really are. Buzzer! 3 X’s! They get a “No” vote from me.

On the other end of the continuum is the performer who is truly thankful for the opportunity to compete. Often they don’t know the depths of their talent. They’re surprised by the affirmation from the audience and the commendation from the judges. And, when they move on to higher rounds, they still maintain a humility which says, “Should I go home tonight, I’m grateful for the chance I’ve had and am privileged to have shared this stage.” Not gonna lie to ya’, I like those people . . . a lot!

Paul considered himself as running a race (1Cor. 9:24, 2Tim. 4:7). This race, in a sense, the ultimate “reality show” — no, perhaps the only true and legitimate “reality show.” And, if anyone deserved not to be “voted off” the show or disqualified from the race, it was Paul. For Paul saw the race as less about competing and more as the wonder of participating. Paul never lost the sense of the privilege that was his to even be running the race because he considered it to be an upward call.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 3:12-14 ESV)

Sometimes I sense that some believers view the command to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Eph. 4:1) as the price they have to pay for being saved. Sort of, if you want heaven, then you there’s just some stuff you’re gonna have to do, or not do, on earth. Paul, however, viewed the call, not as a price to pay but as a privilege to respond to.

Paul, who considered himself the foremost of sinners (1Tim. 1:15), never lost the humility born out of awe and wonder that Jesus had called him, that Jesus had met with him, that Jesus had given him not only a new name, but a new heart and a new mind as well. So, Paul pressed on not because he had to but because he got to.

Paul ran the race not because he kept looking over his shoulder to see if some angel was going to kick his behind if he slowed down, but he wholeheartedly engaged in the race because of what was ahead and the prize before him. He had been privileged to be entered in the race and so, he would run the race. He had been blessed to receive an upward call, and he would, by God’s grace, pursue an upward call.

I think it was a rush for Paul to strain forward to what lies ahead because it couldn’t be done in his own power and strength. Instead, he had to figure out how to use all the tools that had been given him along with the call, experiencing the exhilaration of actually leveraging what had been promised him as a “partaker in the divine nature” (2Peter 1:4). His mind actually being renewed by God’s word. His life actually being transformed by the indwelling Spirit. Learning to recognize more the Spirit’s leading. Being more aware that the thoughts forming in his puny human brain were actually the mind of Christ. Experiencing the reality of the dynamic of being part of the body of Christ, coming together with other believers to be a holy temple for God, a dwelling place through His Spirit. While it was hard at times — like, really hard — at times, I think it was also a thrill for Paul to run the race.

Me in Christ, Christ in me. Laying hold of Him because He has laid hold of me. That’s an upward call if I’ve ever heard one.

It’s not something I “qualified for” because of my abilities. Not something to boast in. Not a price to pay for sins forgiven. Instead, it is something I’ve been “entered into” because of who Christ is and what Christ has done. Something to be humbly counted as a blessing to be part of. Something to be earnestly responded to as a privilege to press on towards.

And, should I go home tonight, I’m just thankful for the opportunity to have shared the stage, to have run the race, and to have pursued an upward call.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.