PRESSING FORWARD
(Thursday, October 19)
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have laid hold of it; but one thing I do, 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.” (Philip 3:12-14)
St. Paul encourages us, by his example, to “press toward the goal,” that we may consistently “reach forward to those things which are ahead.” This is a very positive attitude toward time, which is our friend. A new day, like this Thursday, is always a gift, holding the promise of new growth toward “the goal,” which is more knowledge of God and His will, and more communion with Him and others who strive for the same.
If ever I wake up with a feeling of dread, for some reason or for no reason, let me hurry into communion with God in a bit of prayer and a bit of flexing of my gratitude-muscles. Because dread of the future is based on a lie, which obscures the promise contained in God’s gift to us that is time. On this Thursday, the Fifth Day of the week and the day of the Holy Apostles, let us pray for their intercessions, that we may walk upright through the ups and downs of the upcoming day. Let us choose faith over fear, patience over frustration, compassion over resentment and self-centeredness, and walk forward in faith and gratitude for the new growth and new wisdom awaiting us, as we respond to “the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Amen!
(The picture above is with my dad early this morning in Nyack, NY, before we head to the hospital for some medical care he needs today.)
