Full Send

Our youth group kids adopted the phrase “full send” this past year. I think it started with two of our boys’ football coach using it for motivation to play with everything they had. So now, whether playing games, scooping ice-cream or jumping in the river, they encourage each other with “Full Send!”

We decided to use that phrase for our youth group t-shirts this year along with Philippians 3:13-14 although I’m going to start with verse 12.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Yes, we have fun using full send for all kinds of things in youth group, but more important, it is a picture of what Paul is talking about in Philippians regarding our sanctification and promised glorification.

Let’s back up a little. In verses 8-11, Paul informed us of what was most important to him – knowing Christ. He continues that thought process in comparing the pursuit of knowing Christ to competing in a race. In Philippi, Macedonia, the Philippians would have been familiar with the Greek (Panhellenic) Games in which you were required to be a citizen to compete. You did not compete to earn your citizenship. This is important background along with verses 1-11. Paul does not switch to a works salvation in these verses. We already have our citizenship in heaven because of faith in Christ (verse 9), so we press on in sanctification.

This side of heaven, we still struggle daily with sin. We are not perfect, but Paul talks about persevering until the day we are made perfect in heaven. I love that he doesn’t just talk about sanctification, but he explains our motivation and how we are equipped for sanctification – “because Christ Jesus has made me His own” (1 John 4:19; 1 Peter 1:5). In sanctification, God’s grace continues to encompass us. He doesn’t leave us on our own and say, “Go for it! See you at the finish line.” We are His, and He is with us every step of the way.

Paul knows he isn’t there yet. I think that shows his humility. All too often I fall into thinking I’ve arrived when I am far from it. However, Paul doesn’t despair at not having reached the finish line nor should we. He perseveres. How does he do it? Paul says there is one thing he does: “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.” Paul forgets the past, so he does not become content or complacent where he is. Each day is a new day to move forward.

Forgetting the past also means it doesn’t have a negative hold on or influence over us. We can remember what God has done in the past and let that encourage us for today, but we don’t camp there. In a race, you don’t want to look behind and be distracted with who or what is behind you. If you aren’t looking forward, you can run off course or crash into another runner. Instead, you focus on what is before you – the finish line. Hebrews 12:1-2 repeats this idea. There we are throwing off the sin that hinders us, and our eyes are fixed on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith – a wonderful picture of sanctification.

As Paul is forgetting what lies behind, he is also straining forward to what lies ahead – the goal. The word for straining is another athletic term depicting someone in a race. Have you seen a close race right near the end? The athletes lean forward with their torso to push across the finish line first. The Greek also means “bearing towards a point.” Paul is focused on the goal, the upward call of God in Christ, and he is full send to get there.

With Journey Through Colossians coming out soon, I’ve been having all these doubts. Past failings come to mind. I feel unworthy to write anything. But this can’t be my focus. God in His amazing and gracious ways chooses to work through weak, limping, gasping-for-air vessels like you and me that He may be glorified. I need to continually fix my eyes on Jesus – His righteousness, forgiveness that is mine in Him, His strength, His Spirit at work in me – and press on in what God has called me to do towards the upward call.

Our upward call is eternal life, and it comes from God (Romans 6:23). Christ is our only means to get there. Yes, God gives us our part in obedience, but that obedience is only possible because of Christ’s perfect obedience. His death and resurrection freed us from the power of sin; freed us from the old man, so that we can press onward.

Is there an area in your walk with God that you have become complacent in? Where you need the encouragement of full send? Pray. Talk to God about where you are struggling. Look to God’s Word for motivation and instruction. We won’t fully attain the goal here on earth, but Jesus has. In Him, we can keep straining forward, full send!

Adapted from my devotional Journey Through Philippians.