Elderly Woman: Good morning! How are you doing?
Man: I'm tired today.
Elderly Woman: It's the weather. It's so gloomy outside.
Man: Maybe.
Elderly Woman: And I supposed you have class next?
Man: Yes.
Elderly Woman: Well hey, atleast one day you'll be rich.
Man: I hope not.
Elderly Woman: Well you'll be famous.
Man: I don't want that.
Elderly Woman: Well you'll live a comfortable life.....

I don't want to be rich or have expensive things
But to give it all up to follow my Savior
I don't care to have spending power
But to be spend entirely for the glory of the Son
I don't want to be comfortable
But to comfort the lost with the truth of the gospel
I don't want to be famous
But to exult the Famous One
I don't care that no one knows who I am
Only that I would be known by Him
I don't want servants heeding my beck and call
But at the foot of the cross laying it all down
I don't want to be safe or to never become ill
But to rest under the wing of my Father's discipline
I don't care if I die
But I rejoice that He lives!

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phillippians 3:12-14

The "it" Paul is talking about here is sanctification or being made perfect which comes through death. His next statement is astonishing to me. He says he presses on to lay hold of that perfection which comes through death. It's very reminiscient of his lament earlier in his letter when he writes, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain," then also saying that he has the "desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better." Why is this better? Not only will he be with the one he loves, but he will be sancitified completely through Him.

Paul makes it clear that he does consider himself as having obtained this perfection, however while he waits eagerly to depart, he is "forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to the what lies ahead." What lies ahead for Paul is what lies ahead for all believers and we need to take hold of it, cling to it, run after it. Paul ran desperately, wildly and recklessly after the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Are we running? Are we pursuing perfection in Christ Jesus?

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through suffering.   
-Hebrews 2:10

I wanted to say something after this verse that was thought provoking but I think this verse does alot of that on its own. The Word of God is rather amazing I would say.

O taste and see that the Lord is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
O fear the Lord, you His saints,
For to those who fear Him their is no want

The righteous cry and the Lord hears
and delivers them out of their troubles
The Lord is near the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit
Many are the afflictions of the righteous
But the Lord delivers him out of them all

-Psalm 34:8-9,17-19

I've come to the end of myself, Lord....