by Dawn Rice
Philippians 3:12-16
12Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
15Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. 16Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.
Advent is the season of the already and the not yet. We must continue to perfect our faith but also acknowledge that we are already full expressions of the glory of God. It is a beautiful tension. It is also a reminder that while we have so far to go, the way has been made for us. Take hope in Christ.