Keep On Keeping On!

A couple days ago as I was walking I felt like I could just keep WALKING ON forever. I would have liked to have walked further, but there was only enough time to walk five miles. Yesterday was one of my usual endurance days so I decided to push myself a little and add a few more miles to the usual Tuesday walk. However, for some reason I did not start out with the feeling I could WALK ON forever. As my walk progressed I found I had to keep telling myself, “KEEP WALKING. Focus on a mile at a time. You’ll make it.” I even spoke the words out loud. A goal had been set in my mind and I wanted to achieve it. Therefore, by taking each mile one step at a time I did reach the goal.

As I walk I encounter various individuals, some of whom I have encountered before. Seeing them as well as having passersby on the road honk and wave always encourages me as I WALK ON. Recently an individual I had encountered before commented as I passed him, “There you go making me feel inadequate again.” When others comment regarding my pace I usually try to encourage them with the statement, “At least you’re walking too.” We had three of our grandchildren with us this past weekend and one of them (Andrew) said to me, “PaPa, for being the Dad of a Dad you sure are quick.” That was a nice shot of encouragement too.

Aren’t there times in life when we just feel like we could keep going on with what we are doing forever? We feel good, the atmosphere around us seems just right, and we don’t feel like it is taking too much out of us. Such moments are a reprieve from the times when having to endure may not be so easy. However, when the going seems long and strenuous we need to keep telling ourselves to WALK ON anyway. We should also be mindful of not putting down those who appear to be walking slower, but rather encourage them to keep WALKING ON as well.

Like Paul, let us strive to maintain a resolve that says…
“I PRESS ON toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” ( Philippians 3:14 ESV)

The pace of each one of us in this life may very with regard to our journey to maturity in Christ. The important thing to keep in mind is to continue WALKING ON! The persistence in WALKING ON and the fact we are progressing is a good thing. Pressing onward, not in a walk “according to the flesh” ( 2 Corinthians 10:2), but in a “manner worthy of God” ( 1 Thessalonians 2:12) is to be the goal. Arriving at our eternal goal may not come at the same time for us all, but if we keep pressing on toward it, to eventually arrive is what counts.

Have a great day RESOLVED TO KEEP PRESSING ON IN CHRIST!
Carl

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