“No turning back; no turning back!” I cheerfully sang these lyrics while tossing a pile of mementos into the wastebasket. I had extracted some old papers from my filing cabinet: a “Food Handler Certificate” granted 22 years ago from Public Health, my “Certificate of Appreciation” to honour a former Board of Directors role, cards, letters, bulletins, programs, and so forth. These items represented a rich versatile past. But since there’s no returning, I can let that all go, for I’m pressing on toward my God-given calling — the calling for all of believers:

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 3:13b-14 NIV)

Indeed, I must press on toward my heavenward goal. This is not merely about a future time and place. It’s about now, too. Only a robust heavenward vision can adequately infuse my life with daily purpose, provide a steady focus through trials and temptations, and enrich me with continual blessings in the heavenly realms. My heavenward goal is the exalted Christ Himself — my destiny — my prize!

Because the heavenward vision embraces an eternal, infinite prize, it will never fizzle out. It will continue to grow within, like an inner flame always providing an upward momentum.

Here are some inspiring thoughts which may help you press on in your own heavenward pursuit.

From Scriptures:

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” (Psalm 73:25 NIV)

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20 NIV)

“For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling.” (2 Corinthians 5:2 ESV)

From literature:

“Heaven was in him before he was in heaven.”

(said about a Puritan leader, Richard Sibbes)

From a friend:

“At the end of the day, all that matters is that I’ve been faithful to God and hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

(Matthew 25:21 ESV)

From a hymn – Higher Ground by Johnson Oatman Jr.:

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Refrain:

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Higher Ground by Johnson Oatman Jr.

Prayer: Lord, plant my feet on higher ground! Lord, You know that I’m prone to wander from my heavenward goal, from the God I love. Lord, here’s my heart, O take and seal it; seal it for Thy courts above. Amen.

Copyright © 2022, by Diane Eaton <d.eaton@bmts.com>, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca .
Paisley, Ontario, Canada

Reprinted from PresbyCan with author’s permission