A Place Called “There”

Many people say, or feel, that if they were to get that fancy car or that big house, they would be “there”. They are looking for that place where all of their goals or achievements have been met. But that place doesn’t exist. Once you get that house or that car or that job promotion, you’re not “there”. You are only ‘here’ ,but in a different place. A new “there” has taken the place of your old one. “There” has moved while you trying to get there.

Paul wrote in Philippians 3:12-14:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already
been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of
that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers,
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.”

He was stating his desire to be “there” in Christ. But “there” is not a goal, but a process. He has a goal–a “there”. Once he reaches his goal, it becomes a “here”. It is a process that continues to repeat. Now then he has yet another “there” to strive for.

In Philippians 4:12-13 Paul wrote:

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to
have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in
any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything
through him who gives me strength.”

He is talking about his ability to be happy “here”, the place where he currently is. During the process of getting from “here” to “there” we sometimes get caught up in the frustration of not getting to the next “there” fast enough. We must learn to be happy in our current “here”. Be it in counsel with kings or in prison where Paul was when he wrote Philippians.

Getting “there” in Christ:

The acorn is a nut the size of your thumb, but in it contains everything that makes up the tallest oak tree.

That is how God made us. He gave us all the talents and personality that we need to do what he has planned for our lives. If you’re not sure what your talents are for use in God’s kingdom think of the things that you are good at, that come natural to you. Try not doing those things for one day or one week and see how you miss it. Those things that come natural are in our “spiritual” acorn. We go through a continual process of growth. We have to allow our “oaks” to grow; feeding them with “Son” light. Throughout this growth we reach “heres” and “theres” and can be happy in our current situations knowing that we can do all things through Him that strengthens us.