“but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
Memory tip: Notice the pursuit runs both ways — Christ took hold of us first. Add this phrase onto the end of Week 1’s phrase and say them together.
“but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
Before Paul ever pressed on toward Christ, Christ had already taken hold of him — on the Damascus road, unearned and unexpected. Your pursuit of God today isn’t the beginning of the story. It’s a response.
Jesus, thank you for taking hold of me before I ever reached for you. Help me press on toward you today. Amen.
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“but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
Pressing on takes energy, and two weeks into this season, some of us are running low — whether from a fasting day, a busy week, or just life. Paul isn’t describing willpower here; he’s describing a pursuit fueled by grace. Ask God for strength today, not just to endure, but to keep chasing him.
God, when I feel weak today, be my strength. I don’t want to just endure — I want to pursue you. Amen.
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“but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
“That for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” — Paul believed God had a specific purpose for grabbing hold of his life. He does for yours too. Ask him today what that purpose is.
Lord, show me what you took hold of me for. I want to press toward that, not just toward “better.” Amen.
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“but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
Distraction is the enemy of pressing on. Midway through this week, notice what’s been pulling your attention away from God — a worry, a screen, a habit. Naming it is the first step to redirecting your pursuit.
Father, pull my attention back to you. Show me what’s been distracting me, and help me let it go. Amen.
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“but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
Nobody presses on alone very well. Paul wrote this letter to a whole church, pressing on together. Who in your life is also pursuing God right now? Reach out to them today.
God, thank you for the people pursuing you alongside me. Strengthen us together in this season. Amen.
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“but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
“Press on” sounds like effort, and it is — but it’s effort that flows from being held, not effort to earn being held. You are not striving to be caught by Christ. You already have been.
Jesus, I press on not to earn your love, but because I already have it. Keep me secure in that today. Amen.
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“but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
Two weeks down. Say this week’s phrase once more and notice the two movements in it: Christ took hold of you, and now you press on toward him. Both are true at once.
Lord, thank you for two weeks of this journey. Keep holding me as I keep pressing toward you. Amen.