Paul was a rising star in Judaism. He had the right stuff to lead Judaism forward. He had the pedigree, the determination, the smarts, and above all, the zeal. He knew who he was and where he was going. Then he met Jesus. And all those things that were so important to him lost their hold on his life.

Knowing Christ became his life's pursuit. He left what was behind and pressed on "toward the goal." He now belonged to the Lord. He was glorying in the comfort of God's love and enjoying the fellowship of God's Spirit. Compared to these, everything else was nothing more than rubbish.

This reality is where the Holy Spirit is leading all of us. Peter called it growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus (2 Peter 3:18). We don't get there overnight. But the Holy Spirit keeps propelling us forward.

He keeps boggling our minds with the truth that we belong to Christ. He keeps pouring the love of Christ into our hearts bringing comfort and hope in the midst of our trials and tribulations. He keeps raising our levels of contentment and peace through his abiding fellowship. These are the realities that make the "things of the world grow strangely dim."

Knowing Christ is what truly matters life. Nothing this world offers can compare to that. You may be like Paul, a rising star in this world. You may have all the right stuff. But don't forget, you've met Jesus. And he alone is the source of your contentment and joy.