Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.What is the prize of the high calling of God? In a nutshell, it is life—eternal life.
(Phil. 3:12-14)
The Greek word the New Testament uses to describe this kind of life is Zoe. It's a word that refers to the very life of God Himself. And God's Word says you have that life inside of you if you're a born-again believer.
Too often, we think of eternal life as beginning in heaven. But that's simply not the case. Our eternal life has already begun. It is here and now.
Furthermore, Zoe refers to a quality of life as well as a forever length of life. It literally means: life as God has it.
Does God experience sickness, poverty, strife-filled relationships, unforgiveness or bitterness? Of course not.
I realize it may seem almost sacrilegious to your natural mind, yet that kind of life—the life of God Himself—is the prize that Paul is talking about. That's the prize God has made available to us, not just in heaven, but right here on earth. It can be ours now!
The High Calling of God
To really experience the fullness of Zoe life this side of heaven, you'll have to lay hold to God's high calling. What is that high calling? It's different for each of us.
Basically, your high calling is God's perfect will for your life. It is your divine destiny. It's being in the place for which He uniquely created you.
Please understand, I'm talking about much more here than just finding the right career. God's high calling touches every area of your existence. Certainly it involves your vocation, but it also includes your relationships, your health and physical well-being, and your material wealth as well.
God's high calling is a wonderful place to be. It is a place of all-sufficiency. It is a place of great influence. It is a place of supernatural health and harmonious relationships.
You may be thinking, "How will I ever know exactly what that calling is? How can I find out what God's plan is for me?"
By daring to dream. Many believers are afraid to do that. They're afraid they'll get off into fantasy. They're afraid they'll dream too big and be disappointed.
But, friend, I can assure you, you'll be able to tell the difference between a fantasy that is rooted in the desire of the flesh and a God-given dream that corresponds with God's Word and ignites a Holy Ghost fire in your heart.
I can also assure you that you can't dream a dream that's big enough for God. The magnitude of what He has planned for you would dwarf your grandest ideas.
The only limitation that God experiences in this earth is our inability to think and believe big enough. So don't let the smallness of your understanding hem God in. Let Him begin to paint big dreams on the canvas of your heart.
Your dream may already be crystal clear to you. Or it may be only a vague idea stirring in your heart. It may even be that you don't yet have the foggiest notion what God created you to do.
But don't worry! As long as you are moving in the right direction, you'll eventually find your high calling. So just look for the mark and go.
Excerpt permission granted by Living Word International, Inc.