Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. Philippians 3:12 AMPC
“Lay hold and walk in it…”
These words were recently written to me in a meaningful card by a very significant person in my life.
Six words tucked in with many others, but they stood out and called to me. Much like God had His own highlighter and marked this one line with neon pink.
These six words initially prompted me to write yesterday’s post and now this morning I sit in the same passage. And like God’s Word often does, Philippians 3 is speaking a fresh living message.
What does it mean, in a spiritual, supernatural sense, to “lay hold” of ANYTHING? This is obviously important or else it wouldn’t be mentioned by Paul. SO let’s get to work delving a little deeper, shall we?
Before we do, I think it is important to reflect on what might be laying hold of you? What in your personal life has a frustrating hold. Something that is keeping you back? Overtaking your mind? Possibly discouragement? Low self-esteem? Defeat in relationships? Maybe its more practical…. like overspending or overeating? Maybe its just a gnawing sense that you are NOT living to your fullest potential in life. You know, just settling for what is comfortable when you know there is greatness inside of you.
Ok. Now let’s look.
Lay Hold (katalambanō) to lay hold of to make one’s own, to obtain, to seize upon, take possession of – laying hold of the human mind and will, in order to prompt and govern it – to lay hold of with the mind
These are all the definitions of the word “katalambano” as used in Scripture, but specifically in Philippians 3:12 it means “in a good sense, of Christ by his holy power and influence laying hold of the human mind and will, in order to prompt and govern it.”
Alright. So here is what this means for us…. it is POSSIBLE, with Christ’s power and influence, to take hold of our human minds and wills and GOVERN THEM. This. Is. Huge.
And honestly we just don’t live this way. In this authority and power. Why? It’s not because we are lazy or unwilling. I really think we just FORGET what is available to us in Christ.
It’s just that simple.
And just a fewwwwww verses below this call to LAY HOLD of our monkey minds and wills, is the familiar verse you probably have on a coffee cup somewhere…. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
ALL THINGS. THROUGH CHRIST. WHO GIVES. YOU STRENGTH.
There it is. Christ’s power and influence available for us to overcome LITERALLY ANYTHING our mind or will is trying to pull.
So let me encourage you – You aren’t weak. You haven’t passed your prime. You haven’t “tried everything”. You can control your spending, eating, sleeping, speech, activity… all of it falls under the mind and will.
Even when life throws you the hardest curve ball IMAGINABLE, you still have power, THROUGH CHRIST, to control your reaction.
So. 2023. What do you need to “lay hold and walk in”?
If I had a card, I would pen the same words to you….
You are a powerhouse…. the enemy has tried to clothe you with defeat but I SAY “LAY HOLD AND WALK IN IT.”
I pray this encourages you.
Becky Crenshaw 