Headed toward a Goal

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."  

Phil 3:14 (KJV)

I noted an interesting phenomena this week.   Our core (110 kids; 4 teachers) had a series of field trips.  We're studying the history of our town.   Each student went to the local Historical Society museum, took a walking tour of the historical district, spent 2 hours to begin research, and watched a movie.    Each teacher accompanied one group to the museum and on the walk.    My group visited the museum on the first day.  It should have been a 30 minute walk, but we made it in 20 minutes.    And I was exhausted.   They were excited to go to the museum and afterward wanted to get back for lunch, so they were booking!!   The students took the lead; I walked at the rear of the pack.   My colleague who took kids on the walk that morning said her kids were so slow that she had to keep reminding them to speed up.   

  Today, my group did the walk.   And...they were slow.   They sat or lay down at every opportunity--whenever a tiny patch of grass or a concrete step presented itself while the  tour guide was explaining something.   I was amazed at the difference in energy levels.

     However, as soon as they realized we had turned back toward the school, they picked up the pace and walked quickly again, leaving me in the dust.  

     I checked with my colleague again.    Those slow students took 35 minutes to arrive at the museum (didn't particularly want to go), when on the way back to school, they made it in 20 minutes.   The teacher was huffing and puffing. 

     I started thinking:  What caused this drastic change in behavior?    When they were they goal directed, they walked quickly.  When they had to follow the guide and didn't know where the next stop would be, didn't know the next turn, they were slow.  They also used the energy for annoying behavior.   When they knew where they were headed, they headed straight there.   Happy as little larks.

    And the lesson??   For me as a Christian, when I know where I'm headed, when I keep an eternal perspective, I can stroll happily through life.   Tired?  Yes.   Working hard?   Yes.  But walking briskly and cheerfully toward the goal.    

     When I forget the goal, when I believe that I'm only putting one foot in front of the other to just keep moving anywhere, it's slow laborious work.   It's exhausting.  I lack motivation.

     " 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 3:14  (New Living Translation)  

     But I have a goal.   I'm moving quickly, briskly, happily toward the heavenly prize!!