Never Give Up

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14

 When my grandson’s T-Ball team made it to the final game in the Texas State Championship, I was there to cheer them on. When the game began, I was excited. However, by the third inning, my feelings had changed. The other team was way ahead. Our boys looked as discouraged as I felt.

 Standing on the sidelines, I shook my head and thought, It’s over. There’s no way those little boys can come back now, but their coach had other ideas. He wasn’t about to let them give up. Just before they went to bat, the coach gathered the boys around him and knelt in the dust.

I eased forward to hear what he would say. Looking intently into their faces, he said confidently, “ I need you to score ten runs in this inning. Just go out and kill the ball. You can do it.” And unbelievably, they did. They scored ten runs and held on to win. Their coach knew they had the potential, and he told them to keep trying.

We who know Christ also have an Encourager in the everyday battles. He knows our potential and has given us the tools to overcome the difficulties. Through the ups and downs of life, He continually urges us to focus on the prize and press on.

The apostle Paul understood this. He was beaten, imprisoned, and misunderstood for following Christ, but refused to quit. In Philippians 3:14 and 15, he declared, …I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view.

Through Paul, God says to us , “You can overcome. Don’t quit being faithful. Don’t quit ministering to others. Don’t quit praying.” Our Coach reminds us, “You can do it. Press on, and no matter what, never, never give up.”

Father, we know that all things are possible with You.

 Carol