Press On!

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the saints at Philippi,  exhorts them to press on in their high calling to know Jesus Christ.  Citing his own significant pedigree and zealotry Paul then writes, ‘… I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him.  [Philippians 3:7-8.  NLT]

Paul goes on to say ‘… I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.  Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.’ [Philippians 3:12-15.  NLT]

Paul had received a glimpse of the Glory of Heaven, and had resolved that his whole life, by God’s grace, would be centred around a determination to PRESS ON!  Such determination is necessary for all of us!

Throughout our lives all kinds of distractions and temptations such as life’s worries, and craving the world’s riches, threaten to choke off our commitment to the Lord.  A key to unlocking the choke chain is found in Philippians 3:1.  Whatever happens, rejoice in the Lord. 

We are now in a transition stage – shifting from project to purpose.  But in our shifting let us not get caught in ‘project mode’ and forget the purpose.  Our purpose is to bring in the harvest!  In kiwi vernacular, we’ve got change gear, hit the road and go!

Let us all be of the same mind to press on to our purpose and destiny in God.