Onward and Upward:  Philippians 3:13-18

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”

Paul had gone through and was going through immense persecution and trial. He could have had every right to feel down but the way he writes keeps his eyes on the prize and the purpose of what he was called to do.

Part of maturing is moving on.

Disclaimer: You shouldn’t move on to soon. Grieving is a healthy part of your loss. It is not healthy to try and suppress grief. You need to experience it and work through it.

But to define your life by your trauma and not move on from painful experiences will inevitably lead to a destructive cycle of life. Another way I would put Paul’s words here is “Onward and Upward” stay focused on what’s important.

So what is important?

For Paul, it was his calling he received from Christ. For us…it’s the same.

We should follow that same example. You should press on toward the calling that Christ has put on your life.

So how does your worship fit it into this? I think worship music helps remind us of a couple of important items when we are trying to press on:

1. Song writers remind us that pain is a part of life but so is breakthrough and overcoming obstacles through Christ.
2. Song writers remind others that they are not alone. Christian worship songs direct us to the gospel. People have been through what you have been through and wrote songs about the hope they have found through Christ.
3. Song writers remind us that we have weapons against the enemy. When we worship through these trials it is our weapon against the enemy. Satan will use the pain and brokenness of the world to bump you off the path of righteousness. When we worship, we focus our will and attention on God.
4. Worshipping God reminds us that He is our Father, and we are His children. Like a good father, he comforts, protects and cares about you.

I encourage you. Keep pressing on and maturing in your walk with Christ. Life can be a difficult journey, but God has given you a calling that you must press on toward!

Till next time. I am praying for you to live a Christ-Centered Worship filled life.  Onwars and Upward!