Keep On Running

Philippians 3:12-14 "I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. My friends, I don't feel I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. I run toward the goal, so I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done."

Today, in this morning's message and even our Sunday night Connect Group, the scripture above kept rolling through my head. Sometimes as Christians its easy for us to get discouraged. Sometimes we even consider quitting, sometimes we get so down that we want to walk away from church.

Tonight, God has placed in my heart to write a blog entitled "Keep On Running". As I mentioned above, often we can find ourselves at a place where we find ourselves wanting to quit.

One of the biggest oppositions we face is change. If it's a change financially or a change in our family, change can bring frustration and discouragement to someone who has been "running the race". If you have ever ran a long distance race or even a short distance race, you will find that focus and determination is key. We must focus on our goals and the reason we are running and we must be determined to finish.

In our Christian walk change can trip us up, throw us off the track and even distract us from our focus. And soon thereafter when we allow ourselves to be "side tracked" we start to slow down. The race becomes the walk. The walk becomes the crawl and eventually it becomes your loss and failure to finish the race that you started. You lose and the devil wins.

Today, more than ever God wants to tell you this; it's worth it. The race you are running, the position you are in, the job you have currently have, the family member you are currently helping... It's worth it. Because that race you are running, this life you are living is for him, its his calling on your life and the race you are in it's worth the prize you will receive in the end.

I would like to post the same scripture above along with the verses following and in the Message translation.

Philippians 3:12-16

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

 

Today, I pray as you read this blog that the scripture in it begins to resonate in your heart, in your mind and in your soul. Keep on the right track. stay focused on the prize and at the end of the race. Keep on running and remember it's worth it. You are worth it! The people you are ministering to and helping, are worth it and the prize of an eternity in heaven with Jesus Christ will be worth it all.

Check out this song/video by Rita Springer "Worth It All"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQVmR0jV52A

Pastor Phil Keller
Youth Pastor at One Way Student Ministries
Located in New Caney, Texas
Please visit our web site at www.onewaysm.org