Completion Of a Pursuit

May is a month of transitions.  For Alaskans, May serves as the month of transition when spring gives way to summer.  Fishing rods, RVs, paint brushes, and lawn mowers again see the light of day.  Neighbors who haven't seen each other since the first snow of the past winter now share conversations on their lawns. 

For students from K through 11, Wednesday marks the transition to no school days until August. 
In the Goodman house, this May is a big transition for our daughter as she graduates from High School.  Kate graduates today!  My wife and I are very proud of her. 

Graduation marks a big event - the completion of a pursuit.  The Apostle Paul wrote of a pursuit of a different sort in his words to the Christ-followers in first-century Philippi.

10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:10-14 (NIV)

In verse 12 we read the words of Paul that inform us that he had not yet reached graduation.  That is, he was continually pursuing knowledge of Christ.  He stated his goal using a different image in his writings to the Corinthians. 

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)

Graduation for the Christian is knowledge of the depths of God's love and the gift of being fully known and yet still fully loved.  Tauren Wells sings this truth well in his song, "Known"  . . .

I'm fully known and loved by You
You won't let go no matter what I do
And it's not one or the other
It's hard truth and ridiculous grace
To be known fully known and loved by You
I'm fully known and loved by You

#ordinarylives