Pressing On

" ¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, 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, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3)

Tonight I am exhilarated by the prospect of pressing on. Growing each day in the Spirit - in Christ-likeness. Excited that He could possibly use me somewhere in His plan. Indescribable. Humbling. Amazing.

But can I be honest for a minute? (Like you have a choice!) Sometimes, I just get plain tired. I am ready to arrive at the end. To know I am done with the race. Now I don't mean that in a morbid way. I just mean that sometimes I wish that I would finally "get" it - have it all "together" and not have to struggle, grow or even 'press on' anymore.

But I think I've learned something.

That just isn't going to happen this side of Heaven.

Our entire journey here is about learning and growing. It is about a mountain-top experience or two. But mostly it is learning, loving and growing right in the valleys.

No I am not there yet. Sorry to disappoint! Because I won't ever be "there" while still on this earth. Just when I think I have one area under control, life is going to throw a different angle at me. Toss me in a new circumstance.

That is when I get tired.

But I only have to be tired if I choose to do this on my own. See, here is the deal. I cannot do this on my own. But I don't have to. My Almighty Father cares about me. Me! His Son Jesus died for me (Me!) creating a bridge from me and all my darkness to God and all His light. The Spirit fills me (Me!), yearning to guide me in my path, in each new curve.

So I persevere. I am not there yet, nor will I be. But every day is a new opportunity to learn. Each new circumstance gives me a chance to be more Christ-like. And the more I overcome, the bigger the next curve just might be.

And I count that for joy.

Because if I can lean on the Spirit and react in each circumstance in a Christ-like manner, then at the end of the race, I just might be able to echo Paul:

^"7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy)

Oh, how I fail on a daily basis! But I press on, desiring to be more like Him. To see the world a little bit more through His eyes. To see other people, sinners just like me, through His love. To react to each situation in a way that glorifies Him. To see each time I suffer, each time I am hurt, scorned, rejected, abandoned as an opportunity to shine even brighter.

Then maybe I will hear the words I so long to hear from His lips,
"Well done, my good and faithful servant."

What joy!