This One Thing I Do

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13–14)

If you read that slowly, it doesn’t feel like a motivational poster. It feels like a man who has walked through enough fire to stop pretending. It sounds like someone standing at the edge of time—looking back at what was, looking ahead at what might be—and choosing, with holy clarity, one thing. That’s the pull here: not a new calendar, but a narrowed heart. Not hype, but direction. Not perfection, but pursuit.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended…” Paul begins with humility, and it’s the kind that doesn’t sink into shame. He is saying, I haven’t arrived. No spiritual bragging. No polished mask. Just honest footing. If the year behind you exposed your weaknesses, this line meets you with mercy. God is not surprised by your growth being gradual. The enemy uses unfinished places to accuse; the Spirit uses them to invite.

“But this one thing I do…” Here is the turning point. Paul refuses to scatter his life into a thousand worries, regrets, and “what ifs.” He chooses focus. One thing doesn’t mean life is simple; it means the heart has a compass. And that’s what many of us want as the year closes—not more noise, not more pressure—just a clear, steady direction.

“Forgetting those things which are behind…” This is not pretending the past didn’t happen. It’s refusing to keep living there. Some of us are tied to yesterday by guilt—replaying the same failure as if punishment could purify it. Some are tied by grief—holding a loss so tightly that hope feels like betrayal. Some are tied by old success—living on yesterday’s spiritual victories while today goes unattended. Paul is describing release: laying down what Christ has already carried, and refusing to let the rearview mirror become the steering wheel.

“And reaching forth unto those things which are before…” Forgetting is only half the movement; reaching is the other half. You don’t just drop the past—you extend toward the future God is shaping. Reaching is active. It’s the posture of faith that says, I will not be defined by what was; I will lean into what God is doing. Sometimes reaching looks like repentance. Sometimes it looks like rebuilding. Sometimes it’s simply showing up again—Bible open, heart willing, hands surrendered.

“I press toward the mark…” Press is a strong word because it assumes resistance. Nobody presses when the path is easy. Paul is telling the truth: growth in Christ has friction. Your flesh resists. The world distracts. Discouragement whispers. Yet pressing isn’t self-salvation—it’s perseverance. It’s choosing Jesus again when emotions wobble. It’s choosing obedience when it costs. It’s choosing to become, not merely to appear.

“For the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” The prize isn’t earthly applause or a trouble-free year. The prize is the upward call—Christ Himself, and the life formed by following Him. This is where the New Year becomes more than fresh goals: it becomes a fresh surrender. God is calling you higher—not to stand taller than others, but to bow lower before Him. Not to collect achievements, but to grow in character. The real “new” isn’t a cleaned-up schedule; it’s a changed spirit—patient where you used to be sharp, faithful where you used to be flaky, gentle where you used to be guarded, truthful where you used to perform, obedient where you used to negotiate.

So let this be the strong, simple decision as the year closes: don’t drag yesterday into tomorrow. Don’t rehearse what Jesus has forgiven. Don’t camp in what God is still healing. Close the door with gratitude and with release, then turn your face toward the One who stands ahead of you. Follow Jesus—closely, daily, honestly—and let Him do what only He can do: shape a Christ-like character in you that no calendar could ever produce. The mark is not January 1st. The mark is Christ. Press toward Him.

If this Fireside Chat warmed your spirit and sparked fresh resolve to live what you believe, fan that flame with Scripture—“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16). Pull a little closer to the Light, and carry it into the week ahead.

👉 Sign up for the free FAST Crash Course in Bible Memorization: http://fast.st/cc/21419