“….but I press on that I may hold of that which Christ Jesus has laid hold of me.” Philippians 3:12
“I press on toward the goal of the prize in the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
Pressing On
Pressing on: doing the inconvenient or hard thing when God calls me to; to move on in pain and unwillingness. I’m so glad Jesus loves me and reminds me of these verses often. This “pressing on to the goal” takes a conscious effort to do the “right thing” and live in obedience to the Lord for His glory. The definition in Webster’s of press is: to force or squeeze into shape. God is shaping us into the image of Christ.
This has been the verse I’ve had next to my computer at work for several years, but lately it seems to be more applicable. In aging, the enemy has been whispering, “You’re old, you don’t have to do that…” or, “You can retire in a few years, just give it up.”
I like to jog. I’m certainly not fast, but I enjoy the exuberance of the exercise and fellowship with the Lord outdoors. Over the years I’ve pressed on through minor injury and lack of energy, but it seems lately my lack of energy has turned into laziness. “I’m old….” But in the physical the Lord uses these to loudly teach spiritual lessons. He reminds me to stop my excuses and to “press on,” remembering, “A day to the Lord is as a thousand years” (2 Peter 3:8, out of context) and I’m still upright and breathing. I can put on my running shoes and do this; I’m going to continue to press on.
Pressing on when we have teenagers, continuing to love them even when it seems hopeless. Pressing on in prayer for that loved one who continually fights the call of God in their life and I want to say, “What’s the use?” Pressing on through the pain of chronic illness for God’s glory. Pressing on when we’re never going to have enough money to do our home repairs. Pressing on through a confrontational day at work looking for the Lord’s well of wisdom and kindness when I’d rather not press through this, but it’s the right thing…. I need to press on.
I have dreams of ministry for the Lord in other nations and the thought sometimes comes that this is for others, but I know what God’s put on my heart so I let it rest in Him and press on in prayer for His perfect time and circumstance. All is in His capable hands. Don’t give up on those dreams the Lord has given you!
We all have things daily that we need to press through, remembering it was because of “the joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2) that Jesus pressed through the hardest thing in history—He died on the cross for our sin.
“Lord, thank You for the strength and goals You give us daily to “press on” through. May we never give up because You never gave up, and never will. We love you, Jesus.”
Amen! Thank
You.
I am learning to take each day He gives and live it through for His glory. Life at this time for me is so much more bearable taking it one day at a time and looking for the blessings.
As a fellow runner, I want to encourage you to keep running! You’re not too old, just be careful of your form; gentle on your landings; breath through it. Don’t we always run “for the joy set before” us, too? You know before you set out that it’s gonna hurt, but you keep doing it day after day because the rewatd at the end is so worth it! One thing I have always loved about running is how this physical activity is symbolic of our spiritual life, so I appreciate that you wrote about it. Thank you!