“Each morning she would wake up, forget the hardships of the previous day, and press onward toward her goal…”
That’s how Grace made it through the 2,653-mile Pacific Crest Trail, from the sun-scorched deserts of Southern California to the snow-covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada and the lush rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. No shortcuts. No easy outs. Just a relentless decision each morning to keep going.
Her survival strategy? Remember the “why,” not the pain.
What’s the Goal You’re Really Chasing?
The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Philippi, puts it plainly: “I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own.” (Philippians 3:12)
We all chase goals. Promotions. Parenting wins. Perfect homes. But what if success in God’s eyes isn’t about collecting trophies or accolades? Paul says the greatest pursuit is knowing Jesus, deeply, personally, fully.
As J.I. Packer wrote, “Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord.”
You Haven’t Arrived (And That’s Okay)
Even Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, admitted he wasn’t there yet. He wasn’t perfect, and he didn’t pretend to be.
That’s encouraging. Because no matter how long you’ve followed Jesus or how much you’ve accomplished, there’s still more to learn, more to grow, and more to become. Faith is a journey, not a destination.
Let Go of What’s Behind
“Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead…” (Philippians 3:13)
This doesn’t mean ignoring your past. It means not being chained to it. The hurts. The regrets. The victories. The good old days. They’re part of your story, but they’re not your future.
Living in the past, even the spiritually successful past, can keep you from fully engaging with the future God is preparing.
Run Like It Matters
Faith isn’t passive. It’s not “let go and let God” or “I’ve got this on my own.” It’s both surrender and pursuit.
Run like you’re chasing a prize that doesn’t fade. Reach like it requires effort. Because it does. Grace is not opposed to effort. It is opposed to earning.
Keep Reaching
Whether you’re raising kids, building a career, navigating singleness, or searching for purpose, the one thing that matters most is growing in your relationship with Christ.
The path forward isn’t always smooth. But the destination is worth it. Like Grace on the trail, you don’t have to have it all figured out. Just wake up. Remember your “why.” And press on.
