This week all it took was hearing the message title to understand what God was speaking to me: Keep going, keep fighting, keep carrying on. I loved how Pastor Jason brought in those war-time slogans, and it’s amazing to think that the one that we still see widely circulated today wasn’t even the most publicized! But the words “carry on” need to be said to the human heart…especially when it is weary.
Personally, I felt so challenged and convicted by this idea that we don’t just pray for relief from the pain or for the troubles to stop, but instead, we pray for courage in the troubles. We pray for boldness, and we pray for endurance to keep going.
This idea of “carrying on” is presented by Paul as “press on” in Philippians 3:14:
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
This Greek word for “press on” involves an active pursuit, or to flee, or to run hard after. There is a sense of movement here, a rushing, that I think we need to take hold of.
Most of the time, I see the word “rush” in a negative light, don’t you? We don’t want to be hurried through big life decisions or special moments. We want to stop and savor them. But this idea of active pursuit and rushing is undoubtedly here in Paul’s call to “press on” which so clearly echoes our message Sunday to “carry on.”
What made this idea of active motion come to life was at the end of Sunday’s service when we sang the words “I’m safe with you…I’m gonna make it through.” And in a very pointed and relevant way, Pastor Jason said he would add the words…” Because there is work to do.” I loved that. What a great reminder to me, someone who clings so closely to safety and assurance. This reality of God keeping us safe is meant to be shared with others, it is meant to be carried forth in movement.
Just this week, Dolly Parton, one of the most beloved country singers, passed away. She was a believer, so we have incredible hope that she is with Jesus. As I was looking through her interviews and just hearing what people had to say about her, I loved this one post where someone said: “Today, let’s do as Dolly did. Let’s love others, be kind, make people smile and laugh, show generosity, put on the fun dress…etc.”
There are many things she is remembered by, but where her legacy shines is when people who loved her decide to act like her going forward, because she made such an impact on their lives.
I am sure this is how the disciples felt as Christ was getting ready to return to the Father. If they truly loved Him, they would carry on His legacy. They would love, and care and pray and act differently because they knew Him. Their lives would be marked by the love of Christ. His earthly ministry would live on in them. And that is exactly how it should be with us.
But unlike Dolly who has passed on and is now with Jesus, the Holy Spirit is here with us. Jesus and the work He is actively doing is working in us right here and right now. We have the great “Advocate” who shows us where to go and what to do, and how to truly please the Father.
Friend, there is still work to do. There are still souls to be saved. There are still lives to be changed for Christ. When we choose to “carry on”, we partner with the Spirit in that work. Let’s not forget that this is what we have been called for. Let’s not loose sight of the goal — to “press on toward the prize.”
Personally, I felt so challenged and convicted by this idea that we don’t just pray for relief from the pain or for the troubles to stop, but instead, we pray for courage in the troubles. We pray for boldness, and we pray for endurance to keep going.
This idea of “carrying on” is presented by Paul as “press on” in Philippians 3:14:
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
This Greek word for “press on” involves an active pursuit, or to flee, or to run hard after. There is a sense of movement here, a rushing, that I think we need to take hold of.
Most of the time, I see the word “rush” in a negative light, don’t you? We don’t want to be hurried through big life decisions or special moments. We want to stop and savor them. But this idea of active pursuit and rushing is undoubtedly here in Paul’s call to “press on” which so clearly echoes our message Sunday to “carry on.”
What made this idea of active motion come to life was at the end of Sunday’s service when we sang the words “I’m safe with you…I’m gonna make it through.” And in a very pointed and relevant way, Pastor Jason said he would add the words…” Because there is work to do.” I loved that. What a great reminder to me, someone who clings so closely to safety and assurance. This reality of God keeping us safe is meant to be shared with others, it is meant to be carried forth in movement.
Just this week, Dolly Parton, one of the most beloved country singers, passed away. She was a believer, so we have incredible hope that she is with Jesus. As I was looking through her interviews and just hearing what people had to say about her, I loved this one post where someone said: “Today, let’s do as Dolly did. Let’s love others, be kind, make people smile and laugh, show generosity, put on the fun dress…etc.”
There are many things she is remembered by, but where her legacy shines is when people who loved her decide to act like her going forward, because she made such an impact on their lives.
I am sure this is how the disciples felt as Christ was getting ready to return to the Father. If they truly loved Him, they would carry on His legacy. They would love, and care and pray and act differently because they knew Him. Their lives would be marked by the love of Christ. His earthly ministry would live on in them. And that is exactly how it should be with us.
But unlike Dolly who has passed on and is now with Jesus, the Holy Spirit is here with us. Jesus and the work He is actively doing is working in us right here and right now. We have the great “Advocate” who shows us where to go and what to do, and how to truly please the Father.
Friend, there is still work to do. There are still souls to be saved. There are still lives to be changed for Christ. When we choose to “carry on”, we partner with the Spirit in that work. Let’s not forget that this is what we have been called for. Let’s not loose sight of the goal — to “press on toward the prize.”
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.