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January HeartBeat

the banks of Lake Koriba in Zambia, Africa, in a very remote rustic mission outreach, I looked out over the waters and I heard,‘ I must press on, that I may lay hold of that which Christ Jesus has laid hold of me.’ My thought immediately turned to“ why was I born?” What is the purpose and call of God on my life? I believed I was in the will of God, but these words pierced my soul. I wondered, was this a scripture in the Bible? The very thought that I must reach out and grab the reason that Jesus had reached out and grabbed me.

I had been at this very spot many times before. We had done outreach ministry in this area; we had given away Run for the Son motorcycles. Not only had we invested Run for the Son monies, but we had also invested general funds to share the Gospel and help develop a crude outreach complex. We partnered with Missionary

Ventures in this outreach. On this day, it was like the world stood still as I contemplated what I had just heard. My life was impacted by these words. Later, I began to search the Word of God, and I found these words contained in Philippians 3:12, NKJV,“ Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”

Paul makes it plain, we must know why God picked us and the purpose He has for us. He goes on to say in verse 13a“ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind...” It’ s interesting that Paul said,“ one thing I do.” There are many great and noble things that one can do, but what is the one thing that God has called you to do? You can miss the call of God, be diluted in your outreach, with good things cluttering your life. You

can even have the one thing that God has called you to do entangled with all the other things that occupy your time. They may be good things, but not“ the one thing” God has called you to.

The“ many things” can sidetrack you from the very call and destiny in your life. We have all kinds of things and all kinds of people pulling for our attention. Stay focused. What is the one thing that God has called you to? Make that a priority in your life and follow the Holy Spirit. This requires saying“ no” to many things and people and saying“ yes” to Jesus. When we say yes to Jesus, then His anointing and provisions follow. There are all kinds of people finding good things for you to do. Do not allow the good things to rob you of your destiny in God. CMA