What a challenging song we sing that contains the words above! “Higher Ground,” it’s called in some song books. The opening line says, “I’m pressing on the upward way; new heights I’m gaining every day.” What a powerful statement it is that will challenge us higher. “Plant my feet on higher ground.” Heaven we long for, spiritual growth we strive for. Whether in heaven or on earth, we are to be pressing on.

Paul told the Philippians that he “press(es) toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). He had told these brethren in preceding verses that he hadn’t yet attained what he was striving for, but it was his constant goal. He didn’t fail to understand God’s grace and mercy. He understood it quite well. But he realistically understood the power of sin and its deceitfulness. He understood that a failure to press on and to be constant in our desire to remove sin in our lives and replace it with Jesus, would invariably result in a return to the sin that “once did enslave me.”

Pressing on implies the joy of effort. Work isn’t easy but it’s satisfying. Those who are unaccustomed to hard work avoid it with great effort. Yet, all they can show for themselves is that they have cleverly accomplished nothing. As some have stated, “success is about 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.” When the sweat dries and the laborer rests for the day, the work done is a tribute to his effort. He is unashamed of his day and the passing of his time he’ll see no more. His high mark for the day is reached. But then, tomorrow is another day.

Individual Christians are to “grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). The same applies to the local church. When we fail to grow, we begin to die. It’s simply a process of time passing by. Growth comes by pressing on. It’s not self-righteous works-doing, but it is keeping the commandments of the Lord in order to stand with confidence before His throne in the last day.

“Though the way we journey may be often drear, we shall see the King one day,” if we press on toward the mark of His high calling. Our goal is to serve the Lord fully day by day. How well at heart we accomplish that will tell the story in the book of Life. God wants our hearts, and only a heart shaped by loyal obedience will be seen as humbly submissive to Him. Where is your heart? Is it shaped by the character of God, and the example of Christ’s life? Is it open to the dictates of God’s holy word? God demands no less for any and all of us!