Stretching Exercises
but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead Philippians 3:13 NASB
Reaching forward – Greek adds emphasis to a word by attaching the prefix epi. Paul uses this linguistic construction with this verb – epekteino (epi + ekteino). It means, “to really stretch out toward something.” You can get the idea when you think of someone who is playing football. At the last moment, the runner carrying the ball reaches out as far as he can to get the ball over the goal line. He thinks of only one thing – making the touchdown.
In the beginning of this verse, Paul says that he deliberately makes a choice to leave those things of the past in the past. He decides to forget about them. Why? Because he knows that he has to press ahead to the goal line. He refuses to be delayed or distracted by anything in the past. His concentration is all on the prize ahead.
This verse gives us the correct understanding of our present circumstances. The past is done. Its strength is spent. But it had purpose. It got us here. But if we are going to cross the goal line, we will have to leave the past and stretch forward toward the future goal.[1]
Notice that Paul says, “This one thing I do.” There is only one direction, only one effort, only one focus. Go forward. Stretch, reach, push – do whatever it takes to reach the goal. And what is that goal?
It is “the prize of the high calling of God.” (verse 14).
Is that your goal – the high calling to God for your life? When you pray, do you say, “God, let me stretch toward the high calling you have for me”? Are you straining to reach that finish line? It does not matter how many yards you have covered. It only matters that God’s high calling is in sight and you want it so badly that nothing will keep you from the goal line. S T R E C H Y O U R S E L F!
Topical Index: epekteino, stretch, Philippians 3:13
[1] Yes, I realize that I am employing a Greek, linear view of temporal sequence, but bear with me on this one. It’s only an illustration.
Hmmm
Makes me think of Coach John Madden’s comments regarding the great Oakland Raiders quarterback Kenny Stabler:
“The bigger the situation, the calmer he got,” Madden says now, “which was a great combination with me, because I was just the opposite. I was intense.
If everything were normal, and we were ahead, he’d get bored. He had to have his ass to the fire to get really focused in on something.
That’s when he really got focused in. Instead of getting excited and tight, he’d get calm.”
Madden vividly recalls a moment near the end of the memorable 1977 playoff game against Baltimore, which went into six quarters.
“I was thinking of a play to call, or three plays. ‘We’ll do this, or this’ I said.
So anyway, he was listening to me, he had his helmet cocked up, and he was taking a drink, and he says,
‘I’ll tell you one thing,’ he says. I thought what was coming was, ‘Let me throw this, I’ll get you a touchdown.’
Instead he says, ‘These fans are getting their money’s worth today.'”
Maybe it is some sort of cosmic irony that Kenny Stabler was somewhat of a “wildman” in everyday life
A seemingly unstable kind of guy when compared to most normal people
On game day however, he was a veritable master of his emotions
And under great pressure, incredibly stable
When, my daughter entered into college, my thoughts toward her were these: this is not going to break you- but it will “stretch you!” And we all (daily)need to be challenged. Why?
First, we must remember, “Who.” Who, in own lives, is doing the stretching? It is our Sovereign Savior! Who has told us (warned us?)-~ in this world you will have tribulation ~
He certainly didn’t lie about that! We (all) have tribulation in spades! Mounds of it- all for a purpose. To be “spiritually stretched.” While we’re here..let’s kick it up a notch..- “no pain- no gain,” or short-term pain equals long-term gain.
I will be headed for the gym this morning and for a purpose. Bodily exercise. For me, it is no longer a “nicety,”- it is a “necessity.” I needs must go, not to look like Arnold (and even Arnold’s not looking to good these days!), but to remain a “functional carbon unit.” This “tribulating” of my own body through strain and through stretch is (in the long haul) beneficial.
And through situation and circumstance, under the ever watchful eye of our Good Shepherd, we are tribulated sufficiently to know we need a Savior, a Deliverer and a Comforter and what God dependent creatures we really are!
I know, on the surface, it may really appear strange, but have you even thanked God for trouble? ~ And if I never had a problem, I wouldn’t know that God could solve them, I wouldn’t know what faith in God could do!- “Through it all!” (yes) -through it all- I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God! It really is a “Hallelujah moment” when you realize, (believe it or not) God knows what He is doing! lol!- and who am I to say so! lol! Oh, I can laugh now,- it just wasn’t so funny as I was “going through it!”
Listen again, for the first time, to this: ~ after you have suffered awhile..~ May I repeat this? How many times do we need to hear this, before we hear this? “after you have suffered awhile..” – and friends, God, the Master Chef, knows “how hot and how long.”- Is it warm in here?
When we run (physically) we are actually placing our heart under duress and affliction. Dear Christian reader, Are you seeking entertainment or enlargement? Your comfort or His challenge? The Bible admonishes “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might”. Delilah asked Samson the same question dear Christian I am asking you today.. “What is the secret of your strength? The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him! He is Lord!! Mighty God!! Your trouble, your pain, your sorrow, expose your weakness and expose your need of someone to deliver you (daily). I don’t know about you but I need A Savior, (Who is Christ the LORD!)
Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1 God has a purpose in pain. “No Pain-No Gain”.
Our idea of enlargement is “more”. The question is “more what?” More about Jesus would I know? More of His grace to others show? More of His saving fullness see? More of His Love Who died for me?
Carl, thanks for writing to me today. How easy it is to have a pity party and think that whatever I am going through is completely unjustified. Some of my training sessions would be more that I could bear if it were not for my dependence on Jesus Christ as my training coach who just moved Carl to write an encouraging note to me today.
“the prize of the high calling of God.”
Skip, do you consider this to be a corporate calling, as community, such as being a “light to the nations”? Or do you thing Paul has more in mind the individual calling?
Paul has place this statement in between several apparently personal I series of comments that lead into the “us” exhortations.
These are but the waves that wash us further upon The Rock—these are winds which waft our ship the more swiftly towards the desired haven.
“O let my trembling soul be still, and wait Thy wise and Holy will! I cannot, Lord, Thy purpose see, Yet all is well since ruled by Thee.” — Charles Spurgeon
Hey Skip, how does this scripture line up with the Hebrew’s rowboat view of the future!!!!!
How about some backward stretching: Swimming backstroke, watching your feet kicking, connecting dots to stay in your lane, while reaching for the ultimate touch-pad behind you?
I am wondering the same question. Does the original language imply the same posture of time, the rowboat?