Philippians 3:12a
I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine.
I am not perfect. Each day I struggle to become who God wants me to be. It isn’t easy, and sometimes I fail. A lot of times I fail. But the expectation isn’t perfection, it is perseverance. I continue trying. Each time I do something that is pleasing to God I have reached a small success. Each success brings me one step closer to being the woman of God I am intended to be. It is a long road, one that won’t end until I am in Heaven with Him, but it is a journey. This next year will not be easy, but it is a journey to know God, to know His people and to know myself. I am not a perfect person, and this year will not be smooth sailing, but each day I continue trying.
Hebrews 12:1,3
… So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. . . . Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to Him. So do not get tired and stop trying.
Even when I mess up it isn’t reason to give up. If I miss my devotions one day that doesn’t mean I should never pick up my Bible again. I have to keep going. You have to fight to get the things truly worth having. Hold on through the storm. Do not give up and give in. The travels next year are a part of my race. I have been given this race to run, and to choose every day to keep trying. When it gets tough I will have to remember these verses. When life is tough remember to keep trying. Stumbles are ok. But do not stop trying.
You can’t win if you give up. When that tortoise saw the hare tear off and leave him in the dust he didn’t say “oh forget it, I can never beat him”. He kept trying. He kept walking. His race was before him and he never gave up. It was the hare, the clear favourite to win, who gave up half way through that lost everything. God doesn’t expect perfection. He knows we will falter. That’s why He gives us His grace and just asks that we keep trying. Just keep going. He will continue to work on you and mold you into His perfect child, as long as you keep trying to be that person. To reach a goal, you have to keep trying to reach it.
