“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press onward toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:13-14

Goals. Career goals. Family goals. Health goals. We all have them.

With the new year under way, you’ve probably set some goals for what you’d like to accomplish in 2023.

I’ve set some myself. Here are a few of them:

• Publish a print devotional
• Launch “The Fruitful Educator” series
• Establish consistent family devotional time
• Maintain weight, strengthen arms/back

I love setting goals. But, can I confess something to you?

As much as I love setting goals, it’s often a struggle to stick to them.

I set unrealistic timelines. I encounter unforeseen challenges.

And, I’m hard on myself. Goodness, am I hard on myself.

If my writing doesn’t feel perfect, I get stuck in endless revision cycles – or scrap it and start again.

If my family doesn’t come on board with a change quickly or without a fight, I lower my expectations.

If I take a step backward in meeting a personal goal, I beat myself up to the point of discouragement.

I’m betting you have some similar struggles.

Blessedly, we aren’t alone in our two steps forward, one step back experiences. The Apostle Paul told the Philippians that he had not yet attained the goal, but that he was pressing onward toward the goal…

Toward the goal – that’s the key phrase my friend.

Paul knew that God calls us to progress – not perfection – and he wanted the church, that includes us, to understand that the prize, the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, is something attained by continually pressing onward.

Setbacks happen. Plans fail. Timelines implode.

But we keep pressing onward toward the goal – becoming more like Christ every day, knowing we’re called to progress until God give us the final call to come home.

Beloved, whatever goals you’ve set, whatever God calls you to this year, come what may, keep pressing onward toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus!