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Press On!
I love all sports, you name it, if it is a sport, it is of interest to me. What is it about athletes performing, in their element, at times struggling, and other times in their own special zone that is so intriguing? Have you ever seen these athletes who compete in 100-mile running races, around-the-world sailing races, five-day straight Eco-Challenge events with no sleep, Ironman triathlons, Best Ranger Competitions, Mount Everest expeditions, free-diving depth record challenges, on and on. They completely draw me in to see what the outcome will be, the event conditions, the hardships and challenges being endured and how magnificent the finish line is!
The one thing all of these athletes have in common is the undeniable will to “press on“. They have a never-quit attitude, an unrelenting belief that they will make it, and a willingness to suffer the temporary situation for the everlasting glory. In short, these athletes have the faith that they can do it, that they will make it.
Luke uses the word “pressing” or “forcing” one’s way into the Kingdom of God in today’s verse. Entering the Kingdom is not a passive thing. It is not waiting for something to happen, but rather a forceful, pressing, making every possible effort type of thing. I am reminded in reading this verse, that I must aggressively seek the Kingdom will all my heart.
Paul writes in Philippians 3:12-14, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: 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.”
As believers, we must press on, energetically, fighting with all our might, never surrendering, always leaning forward and doing whatever it takes to follow Jesus.
Press on!
Thank you Chuck. I really needed to hear this this morning. As everyone will tell you I am the cockeyed optimist. But yesterday I started my day pessimistic and stayed there all day. As I left work it only grew worse. This morning I woke up that same way. But God is gracious. He reminded my of how much I have. The message you shared this morning reminded me to keep my eyes off my circumstances and put them back on our Lord. Today I took another breath and that means my race is not over. Jesus still has plans for me and I should rejoice in them. Again, thank you for the reminder.
Being a Christ follower is a race that lasts a lifetime. I look back at the different things that have happened in my life as check points, times to make sure that I am still on the course. I see the finish line as eturnity with Jesus in the kingdom.
I’ll admit the start of the race was quick and fast and excieting. Finishing the race is slower but just as excieting. Winning is energizing. I look forward to many more miles. I see so much to do and so little time. That is where I see the pressing or forcing my way into the kingdom picture.
I just read an article in “Runners World” about a man and his quest to do a 100 mile race. Sounds crazy to me, but I learned one other thing that these super athletes have in common, they aren’t in this alone. Just like they all require the same press on attitude that you highlighted Chuck, they also surround themselves with press on peole. In the 100 mile race, this athlete had put a team of pacers together that raced with him from mile 39 on. They convinced him to take each step, set the pace when he was dragging, fed him, encouraged him and all the while affording him every opportunity to press on! Following Jesus is a good fight. A pursuit worth the suffering, but when surrounded by a church community, who are in this fight with you…it is much easier to press on.
Some time ago I saw a church sign that stated the following:
What is Intentional Faith Developement?
Truthfully I thought about that for some time. It is am investment of time and energy. It is forward thinking way of growing. It is being in the word, it is surrounding yourself with a team of people that can fight the good fight with you. It is attending a church that allows us to use our gifts and talents in new and exciting ways for the good of all.
It is work but think about when we reach the finish line. I want to be proud of the work that I have done and be able to know that I did not “squeak” into the kingdom.
Preach it Brother!!
Chuck…
You’re dead on here. The cranky religious people had the Law and the Prophets, but they missed Jesus. AND, the Law and Prophets all pointed to him!
The religious dudes also made it incredibly hard for others in their spiritual journeys.
But people were flocking to Jesus… forcing their way into the Kingdom. They would not be denied.
Am I missing Jesus in all my religion? Is my religious image management more important than Jesus? Does my religiosity make it harder for others to see Jesus? But the poor, hurting, and broken people WILL find him. They will force their way into the Kingdom. God, help me to get out of the way — or help lead them to Jesus.
This is such a wild passage of scripture. Can’t wait to dive in further come Sunday. Thanks for your thoughts, Chuck.
Trying to stay singly focused and press on for Jesus…
alan
Chuckie D! Thanks for your words my friend…I always pay close attention when you have something to say…so thanks for this. Being a Super-Athlete myself, just as you described in your devotion…NOT! But seriously, despite the fact that I’m NOT an athlete, I clearly understand what pressing on means…and I know when I’m doing it and when I’m not…and all to often I’m a slug. I love what Jen O. wrote about surrounding yourself with other press on’ers with the same heart for Jesus. I for one need them to get me beyond my slugdom at times…beyond myself, beyond religion, beyond comfort for comfort’s sake…to Jesus. Thanks for being one of those press on’ers for me in my life my friend.
Great analogy. I, too, am a huge fan of the ultra-athlete competitions. Giving up is not an option for them, just as giving up on our walk with Jesus should never be an option.