HOW TO STAY THE COURSE
4 steps to help us stay, instead of walk away.
How’s this chapter of life going? Maybe for you, this chapter has a lot of difficult moments; personal struggles, broken relationships, as well as the numerous trials related to this cultural moment.
There’s two outcomes as we write this chapter of life.
The first, is a chapter describing our specific difficulties, then a description of quitting and walking away from them. That chapter ends with embarrassment, regret and remorse.
The alternative chapter however, still describes all the same struggles and trials, but the shift in the narrative is a decision to STAY the course, focused on the end goal of life’s story. That second chapter is a lot harder to write, but it leads to a story we’d want to tell.
As we navigate the difficulties of life, we can choose to quit and walk away, or we can choose to stay! To stay the course, looking forward to the end goal; past this earthly life and into eternity, focused on a better story.
A conscious decision to stay.
It might not be easy; in fact it’s almost guaranteed to be difficult. However, we can make a conscious decision to stay committed to God’s call on our lives, even though we face a constant barrage of difficulties.
As we unpack how we can achieve this, Paul’s instruction to the Philippian Church can be our guide.
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”
Philippians 3:12
1. Lean Into Jesus
Paul, although a great leader, missionary, and church planter, is stating that even he hasn’t arrived yet! And neither have we, and that’s okay.
Like Paul, we must lean into Jesus. Only then can we press on in life; because we belong to Jesus. He is our activator, our motivator, and our sustainer.
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
2. Accept a Both/And Mindset
Interesting that Paul states “One thing…” and yet it seemingly has two steps. Part A, “forgetting what lies behind” and Part B, “straining forward to what lies ahead…press on toward the goal…”
Many scholars believe Paul is speaking to a Greco-Roman culture that understands and loves the Games; the beginnings of Olympic sport. Perhaps a race or an archery competition.
Sport is still a great example in our culture.
Consider coaching for a moment. Perhaps an athlete has completely messed up, letting down his coach and his team. A great coach doesn’t condemn that athlete, Instead he leans in and says:
“One thing: (a) forget what lies behind and (b) strain forward to what lies ahead…that’s how you press on toward the goal!”
It’s “one thing” because they go hand-in-hand. It’s a both/and process. Seemingly, two actions happening simultaneously.
“Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”
Philippians 3:15-16
3. Develop Spiritual Maturity
Spiritual maturity calls us to stay the course. Put another way, staying the course is a sign of spiritual maturity. It is a sign of someone who has a close relationship with Jesus, and is leaning into Him.
As Christians, we might follow Biblical principle, quote dozens of Bible verses, pray dozens of times each day, but the question remains:
“When life gets difficult, did they stay the course or walk away?”
4. There’s Always Grace
Maybe you’re thinking, “What if I’m struggling to stay the course right now?”
Remember that even Paul started this instruction by stating that he’s not perfect. This is likely why he’s not heaping judgement on the Philippian Church. There’s always grace!
Cling to what God has revealed to you in this moment. Cling to what you have attained spiritually, and accept that you’re growing. Just don’t give up and walk away; stay the course and keep pressing on!
Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts
- During this chapter of life, what’s pulling you off course? What’s pulling your focus away from Jesus?
- Read Philippians, chapter 3. Find three principles or verses that will help you stay the course toward Jesus this week.
