“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.
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.
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 ‭3‬:‭12-16‬ ESV

I will never be perfect.
This side of heaven, I will continue to struggle against my flesh and the sin that lurks within me. I am sick of the struggle. I am tired of seeing other people suffer because of the struggle in their lives and hearts. People who seek to honor God, whose hearts belong to God, yet they struggle.

This life is no sprint. It is a marathon, a long, arduous marathon. I understand Paul’s eagerness to press on toward the prize. I understand the desire to finally see perfection worked out in us. Because there are times in life where the struggle hurts enough that you have days you feel a little piece of you die. There are days where joy is robbed and laughter ceases.

These are the days we long for the trumpet blast and the return of Christ to redeem His own more than anything.

But even in the darkest valleys, in the lowest lows, the blood of Christ still leads us to new heights and brighter horizons. He has already walked the path of sorrow. He already knows the weight of sin. And as He carries our burdens, we find that the darkness is lifted from our eyes and the joy is restored to out hearts.

In Christ we press forward and in Christ we find those dead parts of our hearts given new life.

Jesus never promised that it would be easy. Quite the contrary. But He did promise us that He would be with us always, to the very end of the age…when He will make all things new. So keep pressing forward with a forehead of granite and a heart of joy in Christ.

Let Him be your joy as you run.