by Pastor Douglas Brauner
Pressing On!
You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.
There’s something subtle in this picture that captures my attention. When we think of “going up” we think of entering the light and when we think of “going down” of entering the darkness. We head up toward the sun and down toward the basement.
The opposite is true in this picture; heading up the steps is heading into darkness, heading down is heading into light.
If you were on these steps, which direction would attract you?
Heading towards the light usually means that we are walking into the known. Light illuminates where we are going. It exposes the pitfalls and dangers. However, heading into the light can also be boring as there’s little sense of adventure.
Heading into the darkness is entering into the great unknown. We wonder what lurks behind the next corner, what will grab us out of the shadows. Yet, heading into the darkness can also carry a sense of adventure.
Contrary to what you might be expecting, I would like for you to journey with me into the darkness, not the darkness of sin and destruction, but the darkness of the unknown. Paul knew what it felt like to head on this journey into the unknown.
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved [perfection], but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Philippians 3:13-15 New Living Translation
Granted, Paul didn’t mention darkness. However, pressing on in a journey where he understood the final destination, he didn’t know the route he would take to get there. We know the destination even if that destination leads through the darkness of the great unknown of our daily lives
The day is coming when everything will be light and we will bask in the light as Christ encompasses us. Until then, may we also press on through the darkness of this upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Yes, I pray we all hold true to God’s Word- Truth- not what culture says is right. In our world that is getting more sinful and dark, Jesus is the Way The truth & the Light. It is hard at times to say & do the opposite of what others are saying is ok- May I I stand firm in my Faith in Jesus.