“A Moment Like This..” (Philippians 3:7-9)

“A moment like this is what you dream about as a kid.”

This is the memorable quote of Dodger Freddie Freeman after hitting the only walk-off grand slam home run in World Series History. For those who have not seen or wish to relive this historic event, here is a link.

https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/42006539

Childhood dreams. 

Freeman’s quote and spectacular performance encapsulate what we have all aspired. For a budding basketball player, it is making the game-winning shot at the buzzer. Or perhaps for a budding golfer, it is winning the Masters with a clutch put in a sudden-death playoff. When I was in elementary school, a friend of mine said he dreamed of sitting behind a great desk as the CEO of a company. All of these are admirable. For some of us, these dreams do come true. For others, it continues to drive them forward, hoping to achieve it.

What about the great saints of the Bible? Do we know of the childhood dreams they had? The Bible is silent on this. We do not know if Abraham ever dreamt he would become the patriarch of the Jewish people. We do not know if Moses ever thought he would lead his people out of slavery in Egypt. However, there is one great saint who probably thought he had achieved his childhood dream. The Apostle Paul was living his dream.

We put no confidence in human effort, though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

Philippians 3:3-6 (NLT)

Paul could recount his accomplishments with great pride. He was a Rabbi of Rabbis. He had trained under Gamaliel, one of the most respected Rabbis of his day. Paul’s zeal was unmatched to rid the heresy of the nascent Christians. Yet, all of that changed when he met the risen Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. In three days, Paul’s world turned upside down. Instead of persecuting Christians, he became one, the greatest missionary to the Gentiles. In the next verses, Paul describes his change of heart and attitude.

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

Philippians 3:7-9 (NLT)

Paul’s childhood dreams were no longer important. He discarded everything he had worked and dreamt for to follow His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Childhood dreams. For many of us, we live for a moment when the dream can become reality. However, for some of us, like the Apostle Paul, his childhood dream was turned upside down when he gained Jesus Christ. 

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.