7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.
Some people have a hidden list of their accomplishments. Some have them visibly displayed for all to see. Paul certainly had a list to boast about. He had every qualification that a religious Jew of his day could get. He even had some, like his birth heritage, that you could not even get, unless you were born into it. He had the right to boast from an earthly perspective. And yet he considers it all trash. None of that was important to him. None of it even mattered. Often people gain a better perspective on life after a close brush with death. That close brush can bring a perspective to all our activities. We have a tendency to prioritize our activities, rather than just going along with what others might say. Paul considered it all loss because he now knew the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus. That personal knowledge of Christ changed his life. And it can change ours. Notice that is it not some fact that Paul came to know. He didn’t purchase a book or go to a seminar. He had a personal encounter with the risen Jesus. That is what changed his life. And that is what will change ours. When we get to know Him, everything else in life just doesn’t seem so important any more. God’s perspective on life will change us, if we let it. It is as though we had lived in a cave all our lives, fumbling around trying to figure out where we were. And then all of a sudden a shaft of light is opened and fresh air and light flood our world. If we open our eyes and accept the new reality life will change. Are you ready to have your world changed?
The Arnold Journey 