Pressing on toward the Goal

Getting up in the morning, get on my bike, sit through lectures, bike home (fighting through the headwind), do pre reading and sleep. Then repeat five days a week. After three years you come out with a massive loan, why do we do it? On that cold winter Monday morning what will get you out of bed to turn up to lectures? That Friday night when all your friends are hanging out but you have an exam the next day, what will keep your focus on study? Dear friends, KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE. Most of us are studying for a reason, you must be working towards a goal, if not FIND IT, otherwise it's going to get hard.
No one can achieve something great without working hard, let me encourage you to look at your goal during those times when you want to give up, remind yourself why you are doing this. When you look back at those times, you will know it's worth it, your endurance will pay off.

"Brothers and sisters, 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 3:13-14)
And of course I am not going to end there. Yes in our lives it is very important to work hard to study, to get the degree we want the job that we want, with that supporting a family. YES it is very important, BUT let us not forget the REAL GOAL for us in this life. Paul wrote to Christians in Philippi, keep your eyes on the heavenly prize. Live like Christ. It's hard to tell the whole truth, it's hard to love those who hurt you. When we are here and now living in a sinful world, but like getting up in the morning and going to lectures, it's worth it for the prize. In our old age can we say that: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:7-8)