Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. – Philippians 3v12
There is an amazing video online that summarises the lives of Rick and Dick Hoyt. These two men are a father and son triathlon team. Rick is severely disabled having very little movement in his limbs. He speaks by blinking at a computer screen. The beautiful thing is that as they compete, his dad, Rick, pushes his wheelchair, carries him on a specially built bike, and tows him in a boat tied to his waist. They are an amazing story of strength and inspiration.
When Rick and his dad compete they do so together. Obviously, they would go nowhere without Dick. Now, no human illustration is perfect, but I think we have something of a picture here of the race that Paul is talking about in this passage. Paul says. “I press on, to grasp the praise for which Christ has laid hold of me.” At Rick’s request, Dick Hoyt literally grabs his son in his arms, then pushes, pulls, and tows him through the race. There is a constant pressing on together.
Its not just in athletics, Rick has a degree in special education and is working on a device that will let people control their wheelchairs with eye movements.
Rick could have just given up. The battles were too hard, the race to severe, the goals could not be achieved. But with his dad’s help he keeps pressing on and is able to grab the prize at the end.
Our lives are all about pressing on. We are as helpless as Rick when it comes to living our Christian lives and running the race that is set before us. But Jesus laid hold on us, and He will carry us through as we press on, depending on Him.
The next time we are tempted to quit the race, might we give a thought to Dick and Rick Hoyt and their picture of pressing on.
1 comment:
This is a great picture--thanks! Your thoughts also triggered this little idea: as believers, we need to be more aware of our need like Rick. Rick is honestly aware of his limitations and only thrives as he works in tandem with his father. Our sin nature makes us totally disabled and in need of a Father to carry us through. Another facet of our "disability" is blindness: we see ourselves as whole and capable - able to function and thrive without His help. We isolate ourselves from Him and try to make it on our own. We don't understand how He's working all things for our good and how, when we allow Him to carry us, He will carry us to our heart's desires.
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