I press on...
Many of you are familiar with Philippians 3:1-14. Paul admonishes us to strive for the prize of the Christian life, namely, the knowledge of Christ. Throughout scripture, Paul has a lot to say to us about living above our circumstances. Recently I read these favorite verses through the lens of a mover and came up with a little 'Mover's Paraphrase'...

3:1 Finally, my sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and, frankly, you need to hear it over and over and over.

3:2 Beware of clinging, beware of comparison, beware of the false luggage tags;

3:3 For we are the true relocators, who move in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the moving van,

3:4 Although I myself might have confidence even in the moving van. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the moving van, I far more:

3:5 Relocated the 8th month of the first year of marriage, three times a member of a ''Moving On After Moving In' class, classic carrier of Moving Affective Disorder, a mover of movers;

3:6 As to identity, an uprooted transplant, as to zeal, a blossom that will root and flourish in new soil.

3:7 But whatever things were gain to me in my old home, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

3:8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things - home, family, friends, connection, prestige - and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ,

3:9 And may be found in Him, not having an identity derived from my circumstances, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,

3:10 That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

3:11 In order that I may Let Go , Start Over, and Move Ahead.

3:12 Not that I have already obtained these things, or, despite three moves, have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

3:13 Sisters, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind in the rearview mirror and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Written by Ann Kelley

Scripture To Remember
I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 3:12b-14

We encourage you to read the scripture in its' entirety!
- Philippians 3:1-14

Question To Consider
Are you cherishing what lies behind, clinging to God, and reaching forward to what lies ahead?

Prayer
Lord, help me to cherish my past, but to count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Thank you that you enable me to press on to the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Amen

Thought for the Day
Jesus, and His power that enables me to live joyfully, is bigger than my sorrows. I will give Him my struggles and trust Him to use them for good.