“When God calls you to something more, something new, we must release to take hold.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 25, 2026
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11, NIV
I can still see the little boy’s pudgy hands gripping two handfuls of small cars. It seemed impossible to pick up more, yet he tried. He wanted every car his little hands could grasp. There was no way he was going to lay down one or two to grab a new one.
I admit that my life often feels similar.
I cling to people, places, things, commitments, and assignments so tightly that the thought of letting go to take hold of something new can be daunting. It’s not easy to let go of what’s familiar to reach for the new. But when God calls you to something more, something new, we must release to take hold.
Paul penned the words that teach us how to do this well in Philippians 3. First, he clearly states his life’s goal in verses 10-11.
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”
Paul was not talking about a flimsy New Year’s resolution, one that could be forgotten by February or March. No, this was the determining purpose of his life, to know Christ fully and intimately. In verse 8, he says, “I considered everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.”
Could this be the overarching purpose of our lives this year? I’m convinced it will change how we live our daily lives. We will let go when He says to let go, and we will press on for what lies ahead.
There are “how-to” treasures in verses 12-14.
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Paul makes it clear that to achieve this goal, we will have to let go of the past, forget what is behind, and strain, reach, and grasp for what is ahead. Eyes set on Him. Pressing on involves an intentional pursuit, a running after, to win the prize God has called us to.
Sometimes, letting go is not about people, places, or things, but about past hurts, wounds, and offenses. Let it go! Drop the tightly gripped thing. Forgive. Turn and look in the new direction. Other times, it will mean letting go of old commitments and places of service and obeying God as He leads into new territory. Clinging to old comforts is the easy way of living, but a determined life set on obeying God will lead to clear decisions to obey wherever His will leads. And He promises that His grace is sufficient wherever He leads.
This is a goal worth pursuing. Lace up your shoes. Face forward. Put your eyes on the prize.
Prayer
Lord, I want to live for one goal and purpose: to know you fully, deeply, and intimately. Give me the courage to let go of the past and reach for the new that You have for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application
Take time alone in a quiet place with God and choose one goal for this year. Will you seek Him with all your heart?
Related Reading
Deuteronomy 31:8, Isaiah 43:18-20, Hebrews 12:2, Psalms 141:8
Worship Resource
Hillsong: Know You More
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