Day X: Rubbish... What does that mean?

Are you afraid if you give Jesus your life He won't let you succeed?
If you are an American like me, worldly success isn't too terribly out of reach. If we want success, we have opportunities and the ability to achieve it - if we really want it. But, stop and ask yourself this question: Are you going to be a success at what doesn't matter? Or are you going to succeed at what is of eternal significance?

In Philippians 3:7-8, Paul states, "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ..."

Paul had it all. He had popularity, prestige, and power.

"Paul was the brightest young star in Judaism... When he walked in the door, people stopped and stared. They listened carefully to every word he said because they realized he was going somewhere fast, and they didn't want to be left behind. That kind of popularity and power is pretty intoxicating...to experience. But something happened to Paul. He met Jesus."

When Paul met Jesus he realized that "it was all worth less than nothing... The promise of the world is an illusion... We thought those things would satisfy, but they can't. We thought they were treasures, but they are "rubbish." They are, indeed, waste, when we compare them to "the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."

In Philippians 3:7-8, the word "consider" is used three times.
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ..."

When we consider somethings, "we carefully reflect; we work at understanding; we pursue the hidden truth. Illusions don't die easily. Paul has to take time and effort to search the Scriptures and compare the real truth to what he thought was truth... Paul had tried the first way: doing everything in the attempt to measure up to God's standards. But his struggle to be good only revealed the sin in his heart. His righteousness was a gift from God, bought by Jesus, and gratefully accepted."

Every time, I put confidence in the flesh and try to go at something alone, without God, I stumble. I cannot do it alone. Like Paul, I find contentment in Christ (Philippians 4:12-13). When "we 'consider' the truth and that truth shatters our illusions, it sinks deep into our hearts and changes our lives. Suddenly, the things that seemed so important become nuisances and Jesus consumes us."

There are things I have been consumed with. Consumed with a relationship with a guy. Consumed with academic performance. Consumed with athletic performance. Consumed with my time, my life, me. But, when I am consumed with Jesus... he uses me, heals me, refines me, and gives me a zeal for Him. What is better than contentment in Christ?