Read:
Paul looks back on his life before he met Jesus and realizes something profound.
Everything he once counted as important—his accomplishments, his status, all his stuff—doesn't even come close to knowing Jesus.
Notice he doesn't say those things became less important. He says they became worthless. Paul recalculated his whole life around the value of knowing Jesus.
So what changed? How did the things that used to matter most end up meaning nothing?
Paul never got over what Jesus had rescued him from. He knew the depth of his own sin, and Jesus met him with mercy instead of condemnation. When you really understand what you've been saved from, gratitude starts to loosen your grip on everything else. How could Paul keep clinging to temporary things when Jesus had already given everything for him? And how can we, when Jesus held nothing back for us?
Knowing Jesus is worth more than anything you could ever hold onto. Is there anything you’re struggling to lay down or let go of? What do you think that reveals?
Pray: God, show me what I’ve been gripping too tightly, and help me see it in light of what you gave up to come after me. Reorder my priorities around you and give me the freedom to let go of the things that won’t last. Amen.