I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 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.

--Parallel verses:
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭30‬-‭31‬
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

I woke up this morning a little weary. I have been working on some long-term assignments that have not shown their fruit just yet. Along the way, there are some challenging days. I know many of you can relate to this too.

This week I had the opportunity to share a meal with two couples who were going through challenges. I got to bring one of my kids along too. I find that service fills me up when I am having a challenging day. God also chooses, at times, to build me up with his Word.

So I told my wife today I am forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead … towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. It is a mindset we choose to have that allows us to be tenacious in our pursuit of God and his will and ways. The Apostle Paul has this mindset. I claim it too.

When we have a clear conscience, repenting of our sins and humbly seeking the Lord, he honors our commitment. For the hopeful who are faithful, he renews our strength. Am I weary? Am I worn out in doing the work of the Father? I can take heart that God will renew my strength as I serve him. It is a path of faith, taking steps without always knowing what the path forward will be.

So when we are tired and weary, it is the renewing of our strength that God plans for us, as we look to him. We can then soar like eagles, running harder still, to continue walking with him. And he will sustain us. It’s like an airplane that is fueled in midair by another airplane. God fuels us in mid-service!

This is the type of good Father we serve. He wants us to go for it with him spiritually and rely on his strength along the way. Is it a bit risky? Yes. Are the rewards worth it? Definitely!

Lord, help me to run in your ways and walk confidently in the work you lay out before me. You have my restoration planned in advance. You will strengthen and sustain me as I serve you!