“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on…..one thing I do,  forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…I press toward the goal for the prize…” – Philippians 3:12-14, NKJV

‘Arrivalism.’ Aren’t Ugandans so good at coining new words?

This term denotes the conduct of someone who has ‘arrived’ – looking down on other people because he’s driving a cool car, wearing fancy clothes, dining at topnotch restaurants, traveling the world – basically living the ‘good life.’

Unfortunately, ‘arrivalism’ always lives true to its negative connotation as it is a fleeting fad that never lasts. It’s a vanity.

Even in the spiritual realm, we are all prone to the ‘arrivalism’ mentality – the thinking that one has reached the top, thanks to a repertoire of incredible achievements or ‘results’ as we usually call them.

But if a man of God had a good reason to brag about having arrived, it would definitely have been the apostle Paul.

Incredible miracles, undeniable signs and wonders witnessed firsthand on top of amazing revelations in the realm of the Spirit.

Leading thousands to the Lord; planting dozens of churches across Europe; raising mighty disciples, plus numerous revelations compiled into inspired New Testament books.

Beat that when it comes to ‘results.’

However, the words in our meditation came from a man who does not seem to have arrived.

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on,” he insists.

Paul wasn’t focusing on his lengthy CV and decades of uninterrupted experience.  Yes, his life story had both a dark and a good side.

However, he refused to allow the world’s definition of ‘success’ or ‘failure’ to make him lose his focus of the ultimate prize – the crown from the hands of the Master.

He says; “this one thing I do – I forget what is behind.” “I press on.”

As an ardent fan of athletics, Paul always knew his position in relation to the finishing line in the ‘marathon’ called the Christian life.

To reach the ultimate prize of his call, it was going to take consistent and tireless pressing on – one step at a time.

It wasn’t going to be plain “sailing to heaven” as we used to sing years ago.

.“If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl; but whatever you do, you have to keep moving.”

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

Indeed, in the original language, the verb form that Paul uses indicates that ‘pressing’ was something that he was doing continually and continuously without taking a break.

Literally, what he is saying is; “I’m keeping on pressing on until I reach my prize.”

He was not going to rest on the laurels of his past achievements in the ministry; neither was he going to allow the weights of past shortcomings or inadequacies to hold him back. 

Indeed, that was the same exact approach that our Lord Jesus had used in His ministry – a daily pressing on until He reached His goal – the Cross.

He said; “In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day” (Luke 13: 33, NIV).

What about you? Won’t you decide to press on today and all the days of your life until He calls you home?

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said; “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl; but whatever you do, you have to keep moving.”

Prayer:

Almighty God, I believe that I will get there; I will reach the finishing line. Help me to keep on pressing on daily until I reach the finishing line to receive my prize. For the glory of Your Name, Amen!