Posted September 22, 2025

Welcome, September. Fall is here. Situations are “settling in” – children have settled into a new school year; athletic teams have gone beyond exhibition games and are settling into their season, eyeing the prize; faith people are renewing their spirits, settling in at church revivals. There is excitement and expectation as we “settle in”, as we Press, as we commit to set goals. What better place to look for inspiration than the Book of Philippians? The Apostle Paul wrote this book from a prison cell. He is writing to his friends who have always supported him and are concerned about him. He writes to them, not in frustration but in joy, sharing the Good News that keeps him content (Illustrated Bible Handbook) . Philippians is where we read Paul’s pep talk about the joy of pressing toward the mark, the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. He says, “I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus! I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back!” (Philippians 3:12-14, Message Translation)

Let’s challenge ourselves in this “settling in” season to renew a commitment to chase after excellence, to reach higher, to be like Christ. We have an advocate, the Holy Spirit, on our side. King David said, “With your help, I can advance against a troop. With my God I can scale a wall (Psalm 18:29).” Paul repeated this in Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!”