...in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him...

...but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

...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 3:8-14 ESV

Paul has spent the first part of Ch3 looking back. 

And then he has this remarkable personal mission statement:

"in order that I might gain Christ, and be found in him".

Paul is an old man here, in prison no less. If he was in our church we'd be saying enjoy retirement (if we can get you out of jail!)

He's met Jesus.

He's an apostle.

Yet he knows there's more, there's getting closer to, becoming more like, Jesus. 

To gain here is a trading term, trading up, getting something better. 

To gain Jesus.

And be found in him. 

At work, at rest, at play, in prison, in joy, in sadness, on Sunday, on Monday, on holiday, may we be found in Jesus.

Yes look back, reflect on the year, the good, the bad and the ulgy of 2019, and press on into 2020.

#togainJesus

#tradeup

#tobefoundinHim

#presson