Pressing on toward the goal

Last Sunday we indeed had an awesome time as a church celebrating our anniversary. I was in awe of what God has done in the past, that meditating on it during worship I found tears flowing down my cheeks. But I also know that we’re not to glory in the past and live there. We need to press on to know the Lord – press on to fulfill His purposes for us. The apostle Paul wrote, “ Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. 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.” (Phil.3:13-14)

Walk by faith and not by feeling

Every muscle
of
the runner
is burning
The word used for “press” in Philippians 3:14Philippians 3:14
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  

WP-Bible plugin carries in the meaning of “strong exertion.” Every muscle of the runner is burning. He can see the ribbon. He has only a few more feet to go in the race. He must press on. It is the same in our lives as Christians. There are times when it just gets hard. But it is then that we learn what it means to walk by faith and not by feeling. You can’t live on an emotional high as a Christian. You must pace yourself in this race you are running. You can’t expect that every time you go to church, you will have some great emotional encounter with God. Sometimes you will. Sometimes you won’t. Growing up and learning to walk by faith are part of spiritual maturity.

When you first made a commitment to Christ, you discovered the joy and wonderful peace that comes from being forgiven. But you must realize that this is a walk by faith. You must press on even when it gets hard. Maybe, as you have been running, you have found yourself in a place where you are dragging burdens, sins, or other things along. Maybe you find that you don’t even know why you are running the race anymore. Maybe you have become discouraged.

Jesus gives us the strength to press on

Look up and remember that it is Jesus whom you are running for. Two thousand years ago, He loved you so much that He went to the cross and died there. He shed His blood for you. Then He rose again from the dead. Because He did that for you, you can live for Him today. He will give you the strength to press on…until we see Him face to face!