“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13b-14
We are again approaching a new year! Many of us will make New Year’s resolutions, some we will keep and others will last only days. I keep my resolutions in my head and refer to them on occasion, but sorry to say, many good promises I make to myself are not kept! For instance, I would like to lose weight, exercise more and eat less, spend less and save more, stop wasting time, and more spent in the Word and prayer!
There is a certain amount of excitement in hanging up new calendars and thinking about another year with all its’ possibilities! I see opportunities for new experiences and adventures, new friends to meet and relationships to develop and most of all, more ways to serve the Lord and learn to become more like Him!
Last summer, I had the pleasure of going on a tour following the footsteps of the Apostle Paul as he traveled through the ancient world bringing the message of Jesus Christ. It amazed me how often he used illustrations that the common people could identify with. The analogy of the runner was a favorite theme. In order to qualify as a runner in the Greek Olympic Games, the runner had to be a citizen of the country he represented, had to be a free man and not a slave. How appropriate for the believer! “Our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20) and “It is for freedom Christ has set us free,” Galatians 5:1. The winner of the Greek races received a wreath of leaves and sometimes a cash reward. We, as believers receive a crown that doesn’t fade, rust or corrode, reserved in heaven for us! “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing,” 2 Timothy 4:8
One of our stops in Athens was a stadium built to honor the first Marathon runner, Pheidippides. According to legend, in the year 490 B.C. he ran from the battlefield near Marathon, Greece to Athens to announce the defeat of the Persian army, a distance of 26.2 miles. (Hence today’s marathon races are the same distance.) Ancient history tells us that King Darius I of Persia wanted to conquer Greece. Persia was a powerful country with one of the world’s greatest armies, including a cavalry and navy. Ancient Greece with its’ city states was seen as vulnerable and easily defeated. But the battle of Marathon proved them wrong. Greatly outnumbered, the Greeks launched a surprise attack on the Persians and ultimately emerged the victors. Pheidippides, a soldier messenger, ran the distance to Athens to announce the victory and to warn the city of the coming attack by water. The Athenian soldiers also ran the distance to Athens and were ready to face the enemy on the beaches of the city. This was a turning point in Greek history familiar to the people and one the Apostle Paul used it to illustrate the Christian life.
The successful runner doesn’t look back to see who’s coming behind him, he strains for the goal. We need to forget about the sins and failures of our past, repent and move on! Even our privileges, natural talents and spiritual successes can be a hindrance. We go forward reaching for those things that are ahead, our responsibilities as a Christian, our worship, service and the call of God on our life. Don’t give up!! There’s victory ahead!! Press on toward the goal!!
Your friend, Jean