In this reflection, we’ll look at a two-step process to help us keep pressing on, no matter what we face.
Life will always throw at us difficulties, challenges, or troubles, and all the other disruptions. But, choosing to press on is the only attitude that can help us stay spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically fit.
The scripture I use as the foundation for our reflection comes from Philippians 3:12-14,
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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.
Before delving into what I have to share with you, you may need to review my previous reflection, no vision, no future.
Step One: You need a growth mindset, which is grounded in Biblical humility
Read this verse:
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. Philippians 3:12-13.
In case you’ve not heard of “growth mindset” as a concept, I’d encourage you to read about it online. There’s a ton of info about that concept. “Growth mindset,” as a concept, is the opposite of “Fixed mindset.” Someone with a “growth mindset” is always open to change.
People who have a growth mindset are the ones who see change as a learning and growth opportunity. They, therefore, adapt and adjust to change on personal and professional levels.
Look at the disciples in Jerusalem in the first century. Persecutions against them didn’t stop them or make them change any of their values, as Christians, to give in to their society. Otherwise, we wouldn’t even have the Church today.
Instead, they looked at changing times as an instrument God was using to help them spread the good news of God’s kingdom more, and to places where they had never heard of Jesus Christ.
That’s a growth mindset!
The kind of growth mindset, the disciples embraced in the first century, is one that is grounded in Biblical humility.
We come across that in a lot of Paul’s writings. For the sake of our reflection today, we’ll focus on Philippians 3, as stated earlier.
There are two things that come with it, which, I would argue, Paul is using as the foundation that can help us always press on, no matter what we face in life.
I have not arrived at my goal
Clearly, Paul knew his goal. He never gave up because of that goal. This goal is God’s vision about your life. To learn more about that, review my previous reflection on no vision, no future.
If there is something that no one or nothing can take from you is arriving at your goal, no matter what that means for you.
A growth mindset grounded in Biblical humility is marked by the idea that you’ve not yet arrived at your goal for as long as you’re in this life. And, every day is only one step closer to that goal.
My goal is that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me
Paul’s goal is to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of him.
In other words, you know of the goal you have to arrive at only through Christ.
Remember that Paul, when writing this letter to the Philippi, was not just starting his ministry. He had already been in ministry for some time. Since early Christians did not have the Bible as of what we have today, they, therefore, circulated Paul’s letters among themselves.
Do you see how famous Paul was?
If he were living in the 21st century, he would have probably had millions of followers on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. He was a very well known church leader in Jerusalem, Europe, Asia Minor, and in some areas in the north of Africa.
But, he grounded himself in humility and the Biblical kind of humility.
That kind of humility enables you to acknowledge that you will get to the finish line when Christ comes back. Or, you get there when God calls you back home from this present physical life, and before the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A growth mindset grounded in Biblical humility leads you back to Christ Jesus. You understand that you only accomplish your life’s ultimate goal through and in Christ alone.
Step Two: Keep your eyes on what is ahead
Forget what’s behind
To keep your eyes on what’s ahead, you first have to forget what is behind. That’s what Paul talks about, and which he does in order to press on (see verse 14).
Our past events have the tendency to keep us captive in our past. And, that could be so because of simply being humans. Our brain operates based on what’s been stored in our memories (consciously or subconsciously).
For us to press on, we need to choose not to dwell on our past, but, focus on what lies ahead. (Read Isaiah 43:18-19). And, what lies ahead is in God’s hands.
Strain toward what is ahead
To forget does not mean we erase the past from our memories. If we do that, then, there is a problem with our brain.
What we can do is to:
- Neglect our past.
- Abandon our past.
- Leave our past.
- Move away from our past.
Doing so is the only way we strain toward what is ahead. Keep in mind that the process isn’t effortless. It requires discipline, work, and practice. There will always be resistance because our nature always wants us to stay in our comfort zones primarily captives of our past.
The goal, God’s vision for you, is to win the prize (see verse 14). Winning isn’t about what we want to accomplish. It’s about getting to the finish line. It’s about God’s calling in your life through Christ.
Pursue what is ahead and win the prize. That’s our only way to press on, and Christ walks with us along the way!
