Not a day goes by, it seems, where we can escape the pressure of gaining and achieving.  We are bombarded with goals and dreams of getting smarter, richer, better!  Paul was aware of this same mentality.  We find that he out of anyone would have reason to boast in his status, heritage, and achievements.   Yet we see him put everything into perspective in Philippians 3:7-9:

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

Did you catch that?  It’s wasn’t about all of Paul’s achievements…it was about knowing Christ and His accomplishment at the cross.  These verse beckon me to ask myself the question.  Can I say that everything is loss in my life because of the surpassing worth of knowing my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?  Do I grasp personally and passionately that Jesus is my righteousness?  Do I dwell on His beautiful sacrifice at the cross?  Does that shape my every thought? or am I seeking for others to see what I have done?

Father I pray that as followers of you we would gladly accept that place…as a follower.  May our lives reflect the power of your hand and the beauty of your Son!