Press on and take that crown

"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. 13No, 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, 14I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us".         Philippians 3:12-14    NLT

Sometimes life becomes so intense that we have to make a great effort to make things work. It may be that we are one step ahead of God or, one step behind. For success we need to be right beside Him, not in front and not behind. If God were to run, then so would we need to do the same and go with Him. This is not easy and we need to exercise endurance and perseverance

Paul explains what he needs to do to achieve being beside God. Firstly, he admits that he is not there yet, but he keeps on trying to make it. Secondly, he presses on to achieve this' He doesn't let things get in the way, his eyes are on the target and he endeavours to get there. Thirdly, He is focused; and he knows where he is going, forgetting what was and concentrating on what will be.

Paul was a fighter, he wouldn't allow anything or anyone stop him. His determination kept him pressing forward  as 1 Corinthians 9:24 says"                                                                                                                                                                                                               

“Don’t you realise that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.”

Hebrews 12:1 tells us to be careful not to become weighed down by things designed to slow down our progress. This is anything that takes your focus away from Jesus 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

This is so important; Satan continually wants to distract us and will try and make things more important than they are. Don't let him. If we have things on our minds that are worrying us, then this is a weight and this needs stripping off before we can hope to makes things happen in our lives. Call on Jesus and ask Him to take care of it for you.

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now
Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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