Based on Philippians 3:7-14

I have a little collection of military memorabilia growing in my home office: challenge coins, a hand grenade, an American flag handcrafted out of wood, a .50 round, unit patches, military baseball caps, and coffee mugs. Each of these was a gift. Each one of these pieces tells a story. I can share with you who gifted me these pieces of military memorabilia and why they gifted them to me. They are some of my most prized possessions.

When I am invited into your homes—forgive me if I do this—I may snoop around. Those of you who have had me in your homes know that I do this. I love to look at all the military memorabilia you have displayed in your homes: the awards, the unique gifts, the creative ways you showcase each of the duty stations where you’ve lived. Each one of those pieces tells your story. I know these are some of your most prized possessions because you have them on display for all to see.

How would you feel if one day they were all gone . . . lost in a move; wiped away by a flood; destroyed by fire; or crushed by a tornado, hurricane, or cyclone? I know how I would feel. I would feel devastated.

The apostle Paul redirects our attention in his letter to the Christians in Philippi: “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” (Philippians 3:7-10).

The apostle Paul had a lot to boast about. When you read the section immediately before this in Philippians chapter 3, he lists all of his accomplishments and successes. People would listen to him speak and say, “Wow! You really know a lot! You’ve accomplished a lot with your life!” But the apostle Paul said, “Yeah, I consider them all rubbish. I want to know Christ. I want to be found in him. His righteousness is mine. All the places I’ve been, all that I’ve accomplished, they’re garbage. I have Christ’s righteousness. So that when people look at me, they don’t see all of these things I’ve accomplished but rather they see that what Christ has accomplished for me and what he has accomplished through me is what’s most important in my life.”

Then Paul goes on to say this: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13,14).

Paul is saying, “Instead of fixing my eyes on these things, the things of this world, I fix my eyes on the eternal, not the temporal. For when I fix my eyes on the temporal, I forget about the eternal. I fix my eyes on my true treasure—that God, in Christ, has called me heavenward. That’s where I am going. That’s where I have eternal treasures. That’s my true treasure.”

God is not saying to us today to get rid of all our military memorabilia, the things we proudly display in our homes that showcase the places God has called us to serve and how he has called us to serve. But might there be a way to showcase Christ as our true treasure in our homes? Like a picture of Jesus, a cross, or a Bible verse to say to all who enter our homes, “This . . . this is my true treasure.”

Prayer:
Almighty God, by your great goodness, keep our eyes fixed on heavenly treasures so that we might not become distracted with that which is temporary and fleeting. Make your Word the most prominent fixture in our homes—in our hearts and minds and mouths—so that we may speak true treasure to others.

Lord Jesus, as we celebrate the Month of the Military Child, we know you love children of all ages, for you told your disciples, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Watch over children of military families. Comfort them when they are sad. Keep them safe when they must move. Help them find good friends. Remind them that you are always with them. In your name we pray. Amen.