Pressing Toward The Mark

February 21
Pressing Toward The Mark by Dr. D. James Kennedy

…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:13–14

Have you ever wondered why some people succeed while others fail? Do successful people have heredity, environment, luck, money, or education on their side? Those factors have probably contributed toward the success of some, yet we all know people who have enjoyed these benefits and have amounted to little. On the other hand, history is replete with examples of those who had none of those advantages yet succeeded magnificently.

So what are the secrets of success? I believe that Paul tells us some of those secrets in Philippians 3:13–14. First, Paul says,“…reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”

How important that is! This picture alludes to a runner who stretches his or her hand way in front of the body. Through this picture, Paul tells us that we need that eager aspiration, that enthusiasm that comes from God within us, causing us to reach out toward greater things. We need that eagerness of heart if we’re to succeed. Too often we go through our jobs, our devotions, our worship, and our service for Christ with perfunctory attitudes. But when we have eager anticipation, God can do great things through us.

Second, Paul says, “I press toward the goal for the prize.” The phrase “press toward the goal” means to pursue, to go after something in an intense way. In addition to eagerness of spirit, we need to exert great effort to reach our goals. We need to clearly define worthy pursuits and forget about all of our failures. We need to exert energy to meet our goals and not let anything get in the way of reaching them.

Today ask the Lord to show you a goal worthy of your effort. Then ask Him to give you the enthusiasm and energy to press toward it. As you do so each day, you’ll get closer to “the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Persistent people begin their success where others end in failure.
—EDWARD EGGLESTON

Dr. Kennedy’s remarks remind me of the simple admonition of Winston Churchill to his people during the bleak days of WW II. The great statesman said, “NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up.” His words and those of Dr. Kennedy should remind us to be faithful and resolute in our Christian walk.

When it appears we have done all without success, we must be mindful “to stand,” Ephesians 6:13, yet we must remember that the Word admonishes us to stand after we have, “done all.”

We must do our part. We must “press toward the prize,” as Paul says in Philippians 3:13, 14; we must never give up in our pursuit of righteous goals, but in our pressing and pursuing, we must lean upon the One whose strength is made perfect in our weakness (see II Corinthians 12:9).

Lord Jesus, help us to always keep our focus on You, “the Author and Finisher of our faith,” Hebrews 12:2, and help us to always be mindful that our goal must be to achieve the work of Your Kingdom which You have set before us to do.

May we not be distracted by other pursuits, may we not be allured by mere temporal success or wealth or acclaim, but may we lay our lives at Your feet and serve You with surrendered hearts in the beauty of holiness.

And as we serve You, may we never, never, never give up!