By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus.
I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
Philippians 3:14
The Message Bible

As I was driving past a walking track this morning, I saw quite an unusual sight. The usual people were there…a lady in shorts and tennis shoes briskly walking around the track and an older man walking somewhat slower. But the unusual thing… the thing that caught my eye is this. Between the other two walkers was a young lady in a wheelchair. She was maneuvering it herself by rolling the wheels with her hands. No one was helping her. No one was even close to her. I’m sure the walkers passed her numerous times, but she seemed perfectly content to move at her own pace.

It must have taken a great deal of determination to even begin. I’m estimating the track to be about a quarter of a mile around. She couldn’t possibly have been thinking about how long the track was or the effort it would take to complete it. She must have fixed her eyes on the goal she had in mind and taken it one roll at a time.

It reminded me of the passage in Philippians 3 where Paul the Apostle says, (My paraphrase) “I don’t count myself to have arrived yet, but there’s one thing I am determined to do. Leaving the mistakes of the past behind, I will press on toward the future with Christ by my side. I will run this race of life to the end until I reach heaven my goal, and obtain the prize of eternal life!”

Paul faced a number of hardships and even handicaps in his walk with the Lord. He talks about being weak at times, hungry, persecuted and beaten, even shipwrecked. But always he kept his goal before him…to fight the good fight of faith and reach his heavenly home AND to take as many people with him as possible.

Do you sometimes feel like you are handicapped in this walk of life…at least compared to other people? Being a Christian and making right choices is not always a bed of roses. The Bible tells us that we will have temptations and trials in this life. But it also says that God will provide a way to escape them, so that we won’t be overwhelmed. The key to success is to keep our focus on the goal set before us. And when we finally reach that goal, it will be worth it all!

“Don’t let yourselves be disturbed. Trust in God and trust in me. In my Father’s house are many places to live. If there weren’t, I would have told you; because I am going there to prepare a place for you. Since I am going and preparing a place for you, I will return to take you with me; so that where I am, you may be also.”
~ Jesus