"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.
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
