Press On

“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.” Philippians 3:13-14

What do you picture when you hear “press on”? I usually think of the athlete, the runner, who is told to “don’t look back”. Keep going to the goal ahead, press on to the prize. This is a one-man race. My race. Your race. Paul’s encouragement to the church in Philippi. A church feeling the strain of persecution.

Yesterday may have been tough, hard, maybe even horrible. That’s behind me. Straining my focus, I keep my eyes on God. Because He is ahead. Because He is my today and tomorrow. I keep going. Sometimes one step at a time. Maybe running. Maybe crawling. But I keep going on. I press on to the goal. The prize is a life with Christ. The ultimate prize. I may have successes and failures along the way. But I never lose sight that God has called me. I’m following His voice. I’m pressing on. So can you.

God, thank you for being my goal, so I can get up each day and press on. Thanks too for running by my side. I’m glad I’m not alone.