“…I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” (KJV, Philippians 3:8).
The unifying principle of the universe is relationship. The physical universe is held together through extraordinary relationships. The earth is positioned relationally in the exact position necessary for life to be sustained. Even the tilt of the earth is perfect. One degree in either direction and we are too hot or too cold for life. It all hinges on the balancing the relationships.
I love how Paul refers to Jesus. He calls him Christ which means saviour. He calls him Lord which is to say Jesus is his master. Then he calls him Jesus, which is His name. Paul realizes that he is relationally connected to the one who will save him, lead him, and be with him. He is our saviour, master, and friend.
On the heels of listing all the religious, educational, and social accomplishments of Paul’s life he makes the statement that he counts it all as a loss if it didn’t lead him to the relationship found in the knowledge of who Jesus is.
In today’s world everyone is seeking to create a “brand” to sale their product. You have to have an image that goes along with the story you are trying to tell. Nike has the swoosh. Mac has the apple. We are constantly aligning ourselves with one cause or another. It is an internal mechanism that demands us to relate to something. So we strive and strive to accomplish, to educate, to influence…
If you were to go to Paul with all your accomplishments and ask him to design a logo to match the story your life has been telling he would ask you one question.
Is all of this leading you to Christ? If not, then the only logo design that applies to your accomplishments is a picture of a pile of poop. Without that relational connection to Christ everything else is just crap.
The greatest causes of our lives isn’t found in the somethings we do, but in the someones we know. It’s all about relationship.
