Before we get into this article, please take a moment to read Philippians 3:12-14
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“12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:12-14, English Standard Version

Have you ever been driving a car, looked over at something for just a moment, and before you knew it you were feeling the rumble strips on the side of the road? I’m sure we’ve all been there. It’s easy to get distracted and pulled off course!

The same thing can happen in life. Everything is great, our destination is set, then something happens and we get blown off course. We find ourselves up against the rumble strips, the guardrail or worse yet, in the ditch.

Paul was addressing the believers in Philippi. Like us, they were being pulled in all sorts of directions. They were facing persecution. They were facing lack of provision. They were facing uncertainty of the future. In the midst of this, they received the divine counsel they need. He tells them the “one thing” they need to know and do.

He doesn’t tell them they’ll be fine. He doesn’t say, “Just put your head down and keep going.” He doesn’t say escape. He tells them this… Keep your feet pointed toward heaven! He reminds them, they are to wake up every morning and be reminded, that although this is where they reside, this is not their home.

God called him heavenward! This is where Paul’s focus was. Everything he did was seen through and done through the lens of heaven. How will this bring glory to God in heaven? What impact will this have on eternity in heaven? Even though things aren’t going the way I want them to now, my hope is in heaven.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:1-2, English Standard Version

Response Question: Are you living with your feet pointed toward heaven today?