Onward and upward!

Onward and Upward!
What goal or prize are you working toward today? What obstacles are before you? Most of us would agree that nothing worth having in this life comes easy or without challenge. I once heard it said, “If it doesn’t challenge me, it doesn’t change me.” Scripture makes it very clear that we can all expect challenges and hardship. The question is, will we let our challenges crush or change us for the better? How will we handle them? Will we give up and give in, or will we persevere and press on. Like Saint Paul, we must remain focused on Jesus and press on in our faith! Friends, amid all the challenges that confront us in this world today, we must stay focused and pray for the Holy Spirit to stir up His gifts inside of us and watch God reveal Himself in new, encouraging ways.
Paul did not wallow in despair as he penned this letter from a cold Roman prison, nor did he look back and allow his past to weigh him down with guilt or shame. Through numerous challenges, Paul persevered by always focusing his eyes on Jesus. He pressed on toward the goal of becoming more conformed to Christ-likeness daily. We can all find comfort knowing that we are not alone in these challenging days; our loving God is with us! And like Paul, despite our past failures or successes or even the current challenges before us, we must keep pressing on toward the ultimate goal of becoming more Christ-like with each passing day. As Paul tells us, we are not racing for an earthly prize but the ultimate reward of eternity with our savior. So, remain faithful and focused, brothers and sisters, and keep pressing onward and upward!
Grace and Peace,
Fr. Greg+
 

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