If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again!!  This familiar motto reminds me of a current favorite passage I have.

Phil 3:12-14 NLT ¹² I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.¹³ No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

As I copied the passage, I thought it prudent to include what was written prior to verse 12.  Interesting and convicting that it applies as well!

Phil 3:10a I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead.

Yes, this is what I want!

Phil 3:10b-11 I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death,¹¹ so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

Ah ha, there’s the rub.  I’m not always so convinced I want to suffer.  Oh my.  Oh Lord, I need more prayer, more Jesus, more grace!

From the Journal  . . . . October 1994

Oh Lord, I failed at school when we talked about child abuse and about the parent who believed that the child was theirs to do with as they please, which, of course, was horrifying.  I wanted to say that it isn’t that far-fetched of an idea because our laws say that we can do what we want with our children inside the womb.  I believed my reasoning was logical, Lord, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it.  I was chicken.  I’m sorry.  Will You give me another chance?

And I Believe God Said:

You are called by Me to be who you are.  You know that My ways are right, but you don’t know how to voice them without offending.  Did the prophets speak My words?  Did they offend?  Yes, on both counts.  I’m calling you into the school system.  There are good teachers and bad teachers, good curriculum and bad curriculum.  None are perfect, but people count.  Speak up when you’re sure.  You should have yesterday.  Debbie spoke truth when she said you try to please people.  That’s okay when encouraging and helping, but I want to use you to speak up for righteousness.  Satan wants you to stumble, fear, and look stupid.  He wants to scare you off.  I love you.  I see your heart and your motive.  Those who honor Me, I will honor.

1 Sam 2:30 Therefore the Lord God of Israel declares, ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father was to walk before Me forever’; but now the Lord declares, ‘Far be it from Me—for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be insignificant. NASB

Be bold, be courageous, and trust Me.  You don’t want to be called judgmental.  I am the judge.  I will judge if you are being judgmental.  No one can make that accusation apart from Me.

Joshua 1:9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
1 Sam 16:7b The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I plead “guilty” of wanting to please people. I want to be agreeable as much as is possible, and I believe we are called to do that.

Rom 12:18   Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

On the other hand, we are also called to speak the truth in love and to be bold.  This is where I tend to be fearful and not speak out.

Eph 4:14-15 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. ¹⁵ Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

I need courage to voice what is truth, especially when it is against popular opinion.   Jesus is our example, and He says of Himself:

Matt 10:34 “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.” 

I want to do this boldly, confidently, and consistently.  I want to press on to the goal, not give up, and keep trying!!  Try, Try, again!

Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.  Phil:3:13b-14