“I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally… (Philippians 3:10). 

At the end of the day, when our last breath is taken, we are left with nothing. Has it ever occurred to you that you can’t take your educational degrees, those photo albums, countless Instagram and Face book posts, awards and sporting trophies along when you say au revoir to this world? What is left is a lot of stuff for others to sort through and most often trash them in the bin. 

Indeed, Solomon was a wise man when he summed up the labour of man on this side of the divide by saying its all vanity and vexation of spirit (Eccl. 1:14). Apostle Paul, a renowned Professor of Law and a man greatly used by God equally recognised the transient nature of life’s achievements. He painstakingly listed his achievements in the early verses of Philippians 3 and then said: ‘whatever were gains for me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ’. 

If you suddenly discover a precious ornament of inestimable value, you’ll be ready to ‘sell all’ to obtain it. Paul found something altogether superior in value as his life’s purpose and didn’t confer with flesh and blood but went all out for it (Phil 3:10). 

So, how is your commitment to Christ shaping your life? If I may ask: ‘what do you value and give your greatest priority to – family, career, body fitness etc?’ As plausible as they are, none of them is the ultimate. 

Having Jesus Christ as ultimate focus will make you to classify things that are themselves worthwhile as not after all expedient. Taking stock of our priorities regularly helps keep the clutter from overwhelming us. No doubt it takes prayer and Biblical discernment to keep our purpose unwaveringly clear and our lives transparently aligned with one thing that matter most, making it at the second coming of Jesus Christ. 

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