Always Forward!  This was the motto used by my Basic Training Battalion in the Army.  We had to use this motto in place of saying thank you and many other things.  It was ingrained into us as a part of everyday speak.  Hearing the sermon at church this weekend, this term came back into my scope.  What this term mean to you when you hear it?  To me it is a very strong phrase for how we need to approach life and everything we encounter in life.  Some have trouble with this concept when they come across obstacles in life that may seem to slow down their progress through life or push them backwards.  The saying that we have all heard is that we take one step forward and then two steps back.  With this type of mentality in life it makes it very difficult to get through anything or even seeing the light at the end of the tunnel that awaits.

Always Forward!  This is such a powerful statement for life.  It was applicable to me as a soldier in that we always sought to drive forward. In life, I believe it is imperative that we do the same.  No matter what obstacles face us we have to continue to drive forward to finish whatever it is we started.  The pastor also called it having the grit to finish.  In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”  Paul is referring to the struggles he has gone through in spreading the Good News about Jesus Christ.  Despite the pain and struggles he went through, Paul was steadfast in remaining faithful to Christ and his mission to spread the Good News.  The reward for finishing the race is lies ahead of us.  In verse 8 Paul said, “And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”

Throughout our life, whether it is in our faith, our family, our work, or our everyday encounters, we come across obstacles that will try to keep us back.  Paul was steadfast in that despite the suffering, he remained faithful to his cause.  He did not back down. When we face our obstacles in life, no matter how difficult it may see, we have to do the same.  We need to have the grit to stay the course we are on and finish.  You have to remove those negative impulses you have that may pull you off course.  You need to have the grit to finish and remain Always Forward.

I have gone through a great deal of challenges in life.  Right now, as I have mentioned before, I am working on completing my Doctorate in Business Administration.  I have come a long way in this course.  Several times, even to now, I have days where I wonder if I can finish this pathway I started.  Something always comes back to remind me just how far I have come and that I need to have the guts to sweat it out and make it to the end.

George Whitfield said, “Press forward. Do not stop, do not linger in your journey, but strive for the mark set before you.”  This adds more truths.  If we take too much time to linger, then we can find ourselves stuck and not able to press forward.  We cannot wallow in the struggles of now.  You have to always know that there are brighter days at the end if you will but press through.  This is when it also becomes imperative to fix our thoughts on the positive and not let the negative hold us back.  Philippians 4:8 says, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”  Earl Nightingale expressed that “We become what we think about.”  There is an underlying truth here.  If we fix our minds on what is positive in life, things are excellent and worthy of praise, we then can find the strength to finish the race.

With all of the challenges that life can throw your way, you can choose to make a stand and not let then keep you from your goals.  Maybe your goals are for stronger faith, stronger marriage, or anything else.  Always know that you can get through to accomplish those goals.  Stay close to God and prayer and tell yourself to remain…Always Forward!