“Not that I have already attained or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:12-14

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About a month ago my wife and I attended a wonderful inaugural service for a church-plant in a particularly challenging city in New England. My son has come on staff at Vox Church – a youthful, vibrant and growing inner-city, multi-site church that assigned him to lead this task as Campus Pastor. We went to be a part of it.

Our son also invited our mutual neighbors with whom he has become close friends. About 6 months earlier this couple went through a devastating experience. One of those “how can a good God let such a thing happen” experiences. After going full pregnancy with their baby girl, they experienced the tragedy of an intra-uterine fetal death – delivering their baby who had died just the day before in the womb.

The trauma of birth, the crushing disappoint and then to have to bury the child they never had a chance to even meet. Our hearts broke for their devastation.

While in the hospital the only one they could think of to call was our son. He showed up and oozed God’s love upon them.

Now, six months later, this couple was attending the first evangelical service they’d ever been to in support of our son.

They were happy to find us – familiar faces in the large auditorium. As they sat down I felt myself being transported back to the first Christian concert/event I ever attended. Memories of that evening flooded my senses – the surge of awkward confusion mixed with tingling excitement sensing that some spiritual reality was being birthed. The heart-pounding challenge to come forward to make a lifetime commitment. Then the sweet surrender. Was this going to be that night for them?

The evening began with a powerful worship set. I tried to stay in the moment, to focus on worshipping God but I couldn’t help but have my focus on what this couple was experiencing. This was probably their first introduction to contemporary Christian worship music – of the louder and edgier variety. Was it too loud? Were the words too religious – too repetitive. Was this kind of music something they would enjoy? Were they getting tired for standing so long? I kept resisting the temptation to check in with them to reassure them if they were experiencing any discomfort. I was actually relieved when the music ended and they could finally sit down.

I had to remind myself that this was not about their comfort but about ushering in the Holy Spirit – the almighty surgeon to come and do his deep healing and restorative work. (Jesus declared in Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” The Machaira – a knife used for cutting of flesh as for the crude surgery of the day)

Our son came forward and provided a welcome and introductions. We were beaming. I looked over and our neighbors were also beaming – excited to see their friend and neighbor doing what he does.

Then the Senior Pastor came out and shared some prophetic words and words of knowledge for those in the crowd – for people hurting and needing healing. I love this stuff but I found myself growing anxious. How would our neighbors take this? Was it too weird? I tried to gauge if any of the words were targeted for their wounded-ness? Not so much.

The pastor then preached from one of my favorite sections of scripture in Philippians 3. At the end of the service the pastor shared a story about enduring through trials. He called out to no one in particular, “You have been going through a hardship as never before. God will reward you as you press forward.” Hmmm?

The service ended and people started connecting with one another or drifting out of the auditorium. Our neighbors left their seats and stood silently in the isle. I awkwardly brushed off a few friends in order to be with our  neighbors to gauge where they were at. Were they confused? Overwhelmed? upset? turned off? Stunned? I asked. “So, What did you think?”

They looked at each other with a bit of a blank look and agreed, saying the proverbial, “It was great.”

I could have left it at that but I was prompted to push a bit asking, “Was there anything that really spoke to you?”

They, once again, knowingly looked at each other and nodded but this time with certainty both said, “Oh yeah!” The wife then added, “Tomorrow is a big day.” With that, the dam broke and they both burst into tears.

I kind of freaked. My mind began to race. Tomorrow? What’s tomorrow? Oh no, is it some anniversary of their tragic loss? I was struck dumb. I frantically waved to Eleni to come join us. She saw the emotion and asked “What’s going on?”

Our neighbor blurted out. “We are pregnant and we are having tests tomorrow at the doctor’s office to confirm. We are a little scared.” (Of course my wife’s “Spidey” sense had already told her that the neighbor was pregnant.)

We rejoiced and hugged and then circled and prayed for them that God would comfort and reassure them of His goodness and for protection and blessing over the mother and child.

Just when we concluded a couple we had not seen in a while came up to us to say hello. We introduced them to our neighbors. The two women looked at each other and asked, “Do I know you?” after probing a bit, it turned out that our friend is a nurse at the very Doctor’s office they were going to the next day! Our nurse friend then spoke to our neighbors with words of comfort and reassurance. Wow! Talk about God immediately responding to our prayers! Amazing!

Our neighbor’s experience struck me as a perfect example of the scripture the Pastor had just preached from in Philippians 3. Paul wrote of laying hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. I had always taken this to mean that it was about grabbing ahold of something God has grabbed ahold for me. But it is not “for me” it is “of me”. God has seized hold of what he created us to be. That’s what he hangs onto, not the garbage we have accumulated in our life. That’s what Paul wants to grab hold of – all of what God intended for him to be.

How does Paul say he does that? By doing one thing! It appears that Paul may not be a math wiz when he then seems to talk of doing 2 things – 1. forgetting those things which are behind, and 2. reaching forward to those things which are ahead. But, it is actually one thing, saying that while forgetting he is reaching forward. They are part of the same thing like the many motions comprised of swimming or mountain climbing. While you are pushing away you are propelling forward.

This is what our neighbors are allowing God to do in their life. As they do not let the pain of the past bind them but press forward to embrace what God intended for them.

Postscript:

Just this past Sunday we attended the second Vox service as part of the church plant in the city. Once again we sat with our neighbors. All is well – mother with child in perfect health. As the worship was in full throttle, I couldn’t help but sneak a peak at our neighbor with her hands raised high, singing and tears glistening down her cheeks.

She is truly doing the “one thing” – mountain climbing. Leaving the lower regions behind while reaching up for the heights of God’s glory. Awesome!