No Coasting!

A couple days ago I was determined to leave the car parked. In the morning I took a long walk as I commonly do on my day off. Then in the afternoon I used my bicycle to get where I needed to go and to take care of the errands I needed to run. In our community, regardless of what direction I go there are hills to encounter. Coasting down them is easy. The work comes when having to peddle up them. It is possible to coast uphill for a little ways if there is a good downhill for picking up speed prior to encountering the uphill route. However, that coasting does not last for long. Going uphill on a bicycle requires peddle power or progress will not be made.

When we consider the journey of life, going uphill REQUIRES EFFORT. There is no way around that reality. It requires focus, determination, and persistence to make it to the top. We cannot make it by merely coasting. Coasting will only take us where the downhills lead.

In Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus he noted the effort of his own life in these words:
“I PRESS ON toward the goal for the prize of the UPWARD call of God in Christ Jesus.” ( Philippians 3:14 ESV)

Paul was not coasting! Paul was PRESSING ON THE UPWARD WAY! We too must remain focused on the upward call. Coasting will only take us down the way of the world. We need to continue pressing on toward the goal. Sometimes our pace can be slowed by the climb, but may the progress continue anyway. Though life has its ups and downs like the physical roads we travel, let us not remain in the valleys, but instead PRESS ONWARD AND UPWARD in the Way of God. May we not choose the easy road because it is, but rather keep on the upward road because it is right and ultimately leads us toward our eternity with God! With each new height we gain, our perspective of life will be broadened to encourage us in His Way!

Have a great day CONTINUING THE JOURNEY MOST WORTH LIFE’S EFFORT!
Carl

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