Press

Lord, I admit it is hard to press on

when it seems what I desire most is behind me.

I long for the love of a man You’ve taken home.

A man You gave me, and then took away all too soon.

Like a horse with a bit, You guide me where I need to go.

But I can’t move ahead when I’m looking over my shoulder.

So I strain to look ahead, even if I’m not sure where we’re going.

I choose to follow Your lead because I know You.

Often, the road before me seems rough, even impassable.

And I’m not always sure why You’ve chosen this path,

Yet, You are there, gently speaking words of encouragement.

And our relationship is all that I need.

So I press ahead, with my ears listening for Your voice.

Knowing that all else will fade away, but You will never leave me.

I heard Your voice clearly in my love’s last word spoken,

He did not say “look back” nor even “remember.” He said, “Press.”

Patti McCarthy

Jan 26 1996

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“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.”

Philippians 3: 12-14