“We can start the meeting, I see him coming.” A group of the elders of the town gathered together to make the one decision of the year that would shape the course of the next several months if not years for their community. However, they couldn’t start because the decision maker was not there just yet. A high value was placed on the position of a Pharisee in their culture. So much were Pharisees knowledgeable in the commands of the Law that they were sought over a king or a high priest for decision-making. And along with such a high status in the culture came respect and honor.

Its easy to see why men would want to aim for such a position in a society. Although the position didn’t demand that one came from a pedigree of elite scholars, the position was held in regard within the culture. Why wouldn’t it be the goal of an individual at that time to aim for such a position? “To be honored and respected by my peers is something I want!” one may say. But once achieved, would that bring ultimate fulfillment? What happens next after being a pharisee or something higher and greater? Is there ultimate fulfillment found in the actualization of the dreams of an individual?

A glimpse of this reality was seen in the apostle Paul. If there was any picture of the ideal man that achieved everything that his culture valued, it was him (Phil 3:5-6). He was the “best of the best” of men in his time and society. However, for him, the accomplishments of these dreams did not bring a satisfaction to his soul. Yet, something else did… actually Someone did… “…I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ…” Once this man had gained everything he could have wished for, he says that he counts it as a loss so that he can gain something bigger and better. Although Paul had lived his dream (or story), after having seen Christ in His splendor and outright awesomeness, something in him was able to count loss his story (filled with accomplishments) and buy into the story of Christ.

Most of us in the world are probably on the early years of stepping out to accomplish our dream, or our story. Most are not like Paul and are only starting to begin achieving our story. However, is there something we can consider now in setting out to accomplish this before many years are wasted? If Paul after all his accomplishments can say “the story I had for myself was not worth all the years I’ve spent achieving it compared to the story of Christ,” can we reexamine the end of where our story (or dreams) will take us? Christ offers us a great exchange, our story for His.

“But whatever I had gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him…” Philippians 3:7-9