March!

By Commissioner Colleen Riley

To March, to walk in a military manner with a regular measured tread. In High School I was in the Marching Band and we did a lot of practicing marching up and down the street. We had to keep a watch on either side of us to ensure we were keeping a straight line, as well as in front so we could ensure those straight lines. All the while, marching forward with our eyes focused on the Drum Major ahead of us. It was a lot to keep in mind, there was no room for our minds to wander or think of other things. There was a prize at the end.

I see our spiritual lives much in the same way. The Lord has given us instructions in His book of how we are to live and where we are to keep our focus. The Bible tells us in Philippians chapter 3, about the priceless value of knowing Christ. Christ tells us to look around and to be careful of things that would distract us from the ultimate prize, what Christ did for us in giving His life for us. Verse 8 says, “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

Our ultimate goal, the prize at the end of our journey, is life eternal with Him. In the meantime, we are to continue to focus on Him, to press on. Verses 13-14 tell us, “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.” We march forward towards to prize all along the way, checking to see that we are indeed in line with Christ, ever seeking His direction and guidance.

This month let’s March together towards the prize of Jesus Christ. Let’s look around to make sure that others are coming along with us. And if we personally or someone else falls behind or loses their way, let’s show them the unending and priceless gift of life with our Heavenly Father.

 “For the wages of sin is death, BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.”  Romans 6:23