Day 19

No sugar or dairy

I press on . . .

Those three words are packed with suggestive implication: To not give up or give in, To push through, To keep on keeping on. This was the Apostle Paul’s motto, “I press on,” (Philippians 3:14). I would love to say it’s mine as well. Doesn’t it sound just like him? It reflects an abundant amount of spirituality and maturity. I looked up the verse in The Living Bible to see how it reads. It made me chuckle. This would be more of the kind of motto that represents me: “I strain.”

I strain . . .     to finish the day without sugar or dairy

to not worry or fret

to fix my thoughts where they need to be fixed

to always be joyful

I referenced in yesterday’s post that Philippians is one of my favorite letters Paul penned. If you have a moment, read chapters 3 & 4, where you’ll find so much encouragement from our brother Paul. As you read his words, you can hear how an affectionate big brother would sound. And you can sense the concern that he has in us placing our feet into his footprints.

But what is all the pressing and straining really for?

I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us (Phil. 3:14, [The Living Bible]).

Are you pressing or straining?