Keep Pressing On & Climbing! May 2007 Thoughts

Our church camp was an absolute blast! We had lots of food, fun and fellowship. Part of the fun was in the challenges we had set before us - whether it was in Dodge ball, Volleyball, Egg & Spoon Race, Three-Legged Race, or The Amazing Race (Orienteering Challenge) just to name a few.

For some, it was fun and easy running the egg & spoon race (especially for those holding the egg down with their thumb!!). For others it was frustrating and difficult finding the next clue in the orienteering challenge (especially when the previous group hid the clue right under a huge rock!!)

Thinking about challenges on a spiritual level, do you ever feel overwhelmed by the challenges of living for Christ? You're not alone. Even Paul felt that way.

In 2 Corinthians 1:8, he honestly admitted that the troubles he and Timothy endured in Asia had taxed them beyond measure, and they feared for their lives. But Paul said they learned this lesson: "We should not trust in ourselves but in God" (v.9).

In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul again wrote honestly about his Christian walk, admitting that he hadn't attained perfection: "I press toward the goal fort the prize." He identified this lifelong pilgrimage as "the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Bringing this back to grass roots level, in our Christian walk we will have challenges. Some of those will be fun, some will be difficult; either way we are encouraged to PRESS ON toward the goal. Don't give up! Keep going!

Years ago, a group of Englishmen tried to conquer Mt. Everest. They pressed on against cold, wind, blizzards, and avalanches. When they came within 2,000 feet of the peak, they set up camp. Two men, Mallory and Irvine, eagerly pressed on, expecting to return in about 16 hours. They never came back. The official record said simply: "When last seen, they were heading toward the summit."

Whatever the challenge you're facing in life today, keep pressing on in the upward call of God, trusting in Him and not yourself. At life's end, may it be said of us, "When last seen, they were heading toward the summit!"

Ps. Johnny