You Will Be Caught

“You will be caught by what you are trying to catch!”

The words of a friend at work were playful, yet firm, as if she was convinced.

Now that I’m away from the situation, looking back I can see where someone would not welcome these words. For instance, if I was trying to catch someone off guard, I certainly would not want to be caught off guard. If I was conspiring to entrap someone, I certainly would not want to face entrapment. On and on, one could apply this thought in a negative light, and fear.

However, in the context of my conversation the words were applied in a very positive light. The friend at work knows about all I am pursuing at this time. I certainly have a lot of irons in the fire. However, she was making a specific application.

“You will be caught by what you are trying to catch!”

I prayed about the words. I analyzed them to discern if they could have been of God. Many of my coworkers are Christian, but there is little time to talk about religion at work. Plus, there are some who frown upon conversations about religion or politics.

All in all, I still feel as good about the statement now as I did in the moment when it was proclaimed, and I do believe it was proclaimed.

For a brief article about how God speaks in unusual ways CLICK

At any rate, I believe the statement stands on its own, like a prophetic utterance. However, I’d like to take it a step further.

I was reminded about a Scripture about being caught

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3.12, KJV

The next day, a portion of this Scripture came to mind as I thought about what my coworker had proclaimed, “that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended.” I called my Dad who knew the Scripture reference off the top of his head.

“You will be caught by what you are trying to catch!”

“that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended”

I believe Paul is chasing a similar thought.

perspective from the Fathers [1]

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect.” Paul openly admits his imperfection. He is lacking perfection. Paul is trying to obtain something. He is chasing after some things in his interior life.

If Paul is still chasing after some things, and also still chasing perfection, how much more am I?

Paul says, “I follow after…” or “I press on…”

“He says not ‘I run’ but ‘I press on.’ Consider how the pursuer strains in his pursuit. He sees nothing, he thrusts away all who impede him with great force, he cherishes his mind, his eye, his strength, his soul and his body, looking at nothing other than the crown.”[2]

Certainly the Lord has given me glimpses of what I am pursuing in this time, clearer vision of all that I am pursuing. It helps me focus my energy to strain in my pursuit.

As I am pursuing Him, He pursues and catches me. Even in times when I have been running in the opposite direction, He has a way of pursuing me. As I turn to him, I realize that I have already been caught by Him.

It as if God opens His arms to everyone, but embraces those who follow Him. We are especially close to Him when we face hardship. We are able to identify with the sufferings of our Lord. When we follow Him, there will be times of hardship.

onward

As I stated above, on and on, one could apply this thought in a negative light, and fear. However, in the context of my conversation the words were applied in a very positive light. Certainly the context of Philippians 3.12 is a positive challenge as well.

“that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended”

“You will be caught by what you are trying to catch!”

I look forward in hope.

notes:

1. This section adapted from the works: Theodoret, Epistle to the Philippians III.XII; Marius Victorinus Epistle to the Philippians III.XII
2. John Chrysostom, Homily on Philippians XII.III.12