"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" - Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV).

Specialist tree loggers are skilled in how to fell trees. A skilled tree logger will certainly ensure that any tree cut falls forward- that is, it does not swing back taking other trees down with it. A tree logged should not fall anyhow as in the way of others or block a main road. The loggers are mindful of all and do use their skills to ensure trees fall without retarding them to go forward in their work.

In life there is such a thing as falling forward. A fall may be precipitated by a stumble. One could stumble financially incurring a certain expense that devastates ones finances. There could be a stumble that affects a relationship. Stumbles can come from anywhere and set one back.

When you stumble, which happens to the very best, it is often a question of do you fall backwards or forward. If a body falls backwards it might be a challenge to pick up due to injury. But a body that falls forward, like those tree loggers, is in better control of the situation and is able to pick up and move forward.

So, as with our leading verse today, let us aspire to fall forward wherever we stumble. I shouldn't be a matter that one did stumble and fell; rather, that you fall forward, and are quick to pick up and push forward for the prize ahead!

Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I choose to fall forward, picking up where I stumble, and looking forward as I press on for the prize that awaits those that persevere in faith, this I pray in Jesus's name.