The Journey

Posted on August 8, 2018 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 3:14

Sometimes I feel like a cheerleader trying to convince a brother in the Lord to keep his eyes on the prize, in which they respond, “What Prize?” What is this prize that Paul talks about? Is it fame, fortune, a new car?

I remember as a small boy in the summertime loving to go down to the beach, all my summer friends were there plus I always loved the ocean. The problem was the way I usually got to the beach was with my grandmother. I loved my grandmother, but she drove a 1966 black Plymouth Fury with red vinyl interior, no air conditioning. So, the journey was not one I was looking forward to taking, to say the least. There were times it was so hot I was willing to forgo the beach and stay home. After some convincing I always went and was always glad I did. The beach was the prize at the end of the journey, and because I loved it so much the hot car ride was worth the time.

I think of the prize as a spiritual place of finding that contentment and joy that only comes with being obedient to the call of God. It’s a journey that has it’s twists and turns and can sometimes be very uncomfortable, but like the lyrics to one of my favorite songs, “There’s no place I’d rather be” than in the presence of Jesus. These sometime temporary moments of peace and joy are enough to get me through knowing that there will be a day when our faith becomes sight.

I wonder if losing sight of the prize is what causes a lot of unnecessary heartache? When we allow the things of this world to cloud our vision of what God has for us, allowing sin and the hindrances of circumstances to deflate the Hope we have in the Lord, we can sometimes become weary and make poor decisions.

Another thing that restrains us is getting bogged down with the failures of our past. I heard a statement that said, ”Each time we revisit our past failures we sign on for another stay.” This is not to minimize some traumatic things that some of us have been through, it’s to help us focus on where God wants us to go.

The Apostle Paul says in verse 13, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”

The Prize is what makes the Journey worth it. The pattern of the journey seems to be a walk in unity, this requires us to let our agenda go for the sake of the cause. I find that when I am walking in unity and not allowing my desires to interfere with the goal of whatever God has the fellowship doing I’m heading in the right direction. Discord is a sure way to dissolve harmony within the brethren and causes us to lose sight of the prize.

Let’s travel our journey in unison with the Spirit of God and keep our eyes on the prize of the “Upward call of God in Christ Jesus”.  Amen

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, and serves with her as full time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.

The Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 4-6 |You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “We should be holy people eager to greet our Lord when He returns, ready at any moment for the trumpet’s call, people of optimism, busy in evangelism, hands to the plow, eyes on the prize.”– David Jeremiah

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12