Pressing Onward

Preaching in church is a unique experience. Some weeks it can be extremely draining and some weeks it is extremely invigorating. Yesterday was one of the draining weeks. I really felt like I struggled through the message. By the time I got home I was pretty frustrated and down. But I know that I can’t dwell on weeks that everything doesn’t just click. I will continue to press on, knowing that I’m not perfect and knowing that God will use messages that may not be the best. It was such a crazy week that I really didn’t have time to slow down and mentally prepare for my message. I had the studying part down, and I had all my notes, but I do need to take time to just meditate and listen to what God wants me to say and do. I always take comfort from Paul’s words in Philippians 3:12-14

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: 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.