By Shawn Blackmon
Have you ever watched a group of four- or five-year-olds play soccer? It’s entertaining to say the least. Twenty kids chase one ball. Nobody stays in position. The goalie leaves the goal. Defenders become forwards. Everyone runs wherever the ball rolls. Parents on the sidelines yell, “Get back on defense!” or “Spread out!” But the children don’t understand positioning yet. They simply chase whatever has their attention.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that’s how many of us live our spiritual lives. We chase whatever rolls in front of us. One day it’s money. The next day it’s success. Then it’s recognition. Comfort. Approval. Security. We spend so much time chasing things that we can unknowingly stop pursuing the One who matters most.
The Apostle Paul understood this struggle. Before he met Jesus, Paul had an impressive spiritual résumé. He had the right background, the right education, the right religious accomplishments, and the right reputation. If anyone could have earned God’s approval through performance, it was Paul. Yet after encountering Christ, he made a remarkable statement: “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3)
Paul discovered something life-changing. Knowing about God is not the same as knowing God. That realization changed the direction of his entire life. Later in Philippians 3, Paul writes these powerful words: “Not that I have already obtained all this… but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12)
I love Paul’s honesty. This is the man who planted churches, endured persecution, wrote much of the New Testament, and faithfully served Christ for years. Yet he still says, “I haven’t arrived.” What humility. Healthy Christians never stop growing because healthy Christians never stop pursuing Jesus.
Paul also says something else that challenges every believer: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…” (Philippians 3:13-14) Notice he doesn’t say he forgot his past. He simply refused to let his past determine his future. His failures didn’t define him. His successes didn’t satisfy him. His eyes were fixed on Jesus. That’s where many of us struggle. We’re trying to pursue tomorrow while living in yesterday.
Some people can’t move forward because they’re still carrying yesterday’s failures. Others can’t move forward because they’re still living off yesterday’s victories. Either way, your focus has shifted. You cannot pursue God’s future while constantly looking behind you. Then Paul makes one statement that simplifies the Christian life: “One thing I do…” What a powerful phrase.
Our lives have become so complicated. We’re juggling careers, finances, schedules, hobbies, social media, sports, entertainment, and countless responsibilities. None of those things are necessarily wrong, but when too many things compete for first place in our hearts, Jesus is no longer our greatest pursuit. A divided heart cannot fully pursue a singular Savior.
Can I ask you a personal question? If someone looked at your calendar…Your bank account…Your conversations…Your worries…Your excitement…What would they conclude you’re really chasing? Because whatever captures your attention will eventually shape your direction.
Paul closes by saying, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize…” What was the prize? It wasn’t success. It wasn’t ministry. It wasn’t recognition. It wasn’t even heaven. The prize was Jesus. Everything else is simply the blessing that comes from knowing Him. Maybe that’s why some of us feel spiritually exhausted. Not because we’ve stopped believing…But because we’ve been chasing too many things.
This week, I want to challenge you to simplify your pursuit. Before you check your email… Before you scroll social media…Before you chase another deadline…Ask yourself one simple question: “Is what I’m pursuing bringing me closer to Jesus, or distracting me from Him?” Because your life will always move in the direction of your greatest pursuit.
So, keep your eyes on the Prize. Keep pursuing Christ. And never settle for knowing about Him when you can truly know Him.
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I’ve allowed other pursuits to become more important than pursuing You. Help me to lay aside every distraction that competes for my heart and keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. Give me the humility to keep growing, the courage to let go of yesterday, and the passion to pursue You above everything else. May my greatest desire each day be to know You more deeply and follow You more faithfully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Walk in grace. Stand in truth. Live blessed.
Pastor Shawn Blackmon serves as the Lead Pastor of UNITY Church in Attalla, Alabama, where his preaching is real, relevant and rooted in the unchanging Word of God. Beyond the pulpit, he serves as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama, leading life-changing mentoring initiatives that empower young people across five counties.
