"Pressing" On

Philippians 3:13-14

Ethan and I LOVE the Lego Star Wars video game series. It is so much fun...& HUMOROUS, to boot! One of the "draws" to the game is that the more hours you vest, the more "prizes" you win; and with each prize, the game gets easier. It has quite the addictive qualities that any good "profitable" game would have, as you can accomplish more in less time and with less work the longer you play.

After playing with Ethan this week as Han, Luke, Leia, Chewy and IG-88, I was suddenly reminded of the prize and the race we run as believers, which stands in stark contrast. While the circumstances Ethan and I encountered in the game become easier as we completed levels, I couldn't help but think of how our Christian walk often becomes harder, strengthening us with each grueling tier.

Paul says in Philippians that he "keeps trying" to reach the goal; not that the goal gets closer and less difficult each year. While video games reward the dedicated player with special incentives that make him feel more "in control," there is no sense of accomplishment in this life for Paul...he reserves that for the next life. He is not secured a greater sense of "control" but of dependence on Christ and his longing to reach the prize deepens.

How often I go looking for something easier...some benefit for my time and effort that says to me "Good job, Jeff, and for this next level you will only have to work HALF as hard as you previously did as your reward!"

Life, itself, is obviously not a video game; but even more important than that is the fact that the Christian journey is one step deeper...a passion-filled, high-octane, intense and exhausting fight that Paul himself refers to as a "good fight." And winning is something we look forward to in the next life, if we choose to remain faithful.

Where are you in the race? Is it time to take things to another level from where you're currently standing?