Press On! and Do It!

Your past is not your prison—unless you keep the key in your pocket.


Too many Christian men are stuck in neutral. They say they’re leading, but they’re just surviving. Passivity has crept in and disguised itself as patience, and silence has become their default setting. Men, this isn’t just about you—it’s about your wife, your kids, and the legacy you’re building. This is about choosing to lead, even when it’s hard, confusing, or lonely.



God’s Word for Today

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV) — “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”


My parents gave up. They blamed others for their failures. I still remember the moment—standing in my 40s—when my father looked me in the eye and said he blamed me for his struggles in life. I wasn’t even part of them. My mom? Always pointing fingers, always complaining. Nothing was ever her fault. If something went wrong, someone else was to blame.

My friends had a name for them: Mister Doom and Misses Gloom.

I haven’t heard from them in years. Neither have my siblings. That’s their choice, not mine. And it’s sad—not just for me, but because I believe they were gifted. God gave them something real to contribute to this world, but they quit. They gave up. My dad would start projects and the moment something went sideways, he’d say, “I guess it wasn’t meant to be.” My mom? When I enrolled in an advanced degree program, she looked me in the eye and said, “If I couldn’t do it, what makes you think you can?”

That was normal for her.

But I decided I wouldn’t let their past become my future.

I’ve learned to see problems as challenges, not walls. I’ve swapped fear for hope, not because I’m strong—but because Jesus is. I keep looking forward, because I know the moment I look back in doubt, I risk dragging it into my present. That’s why being a man of the Shepherd means everything to me. My goal isn’t just to avoid the past—it’s to lead forward in the light of Jesus.

Why go back into the dark when the that light calls. That light calls us to act.

Oswald Chambers said it best: If God speaks to you in prayer, don’t say “I’ll do it.” Just do it. Move. Act. Go. And if there’s a bridge that needs to burn—burn it. Not the bridge to people. Not the bridge to grace. But the bridge to passivity. To doubt. To excuses.

Burn the bridge to quitting. Then don’t look back.

And men, let this truth hit home—God gave us a warning for a reason. When Lot and his family were told to flee Sodom, they were told not to look back. But Lot’s wife did. And the result? She turned into a pillar of salt.

Genesis 19:26 (ESV) — “But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”

Looking back with longing or regret, instead of obedience and trust, could carry a high cost.

Men, hear this: God has already given you the gifts and strength to lead your family. It’s not a matter of earning them or waiting for a sign. If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit is already in you. That means the fire is already lit—you just need to stop smothering it.

You don’t need your dad’s approval. You don’t need perfect conditions. You need to pick up your sword, step into the light, and lead. Not someday. Not next year. Now.

See the light. Burn the bridge. Move forward. And don’t look back—unless you’re ready to be that block of salt, frozen in place, stuck in the past, and useless to the mission God gave you.


Today’s “Shepherding in Action” Value

Resolve. A man of the Shepherd doesn’t entertain quitting. He keeps his eyes on Christ and leads his family with steady faith, even when the road is hard.


Reflect / Apply / Share

  1. Reflect — Is there a pattern in your past that you’ve allowed to define you as a man, husband, or father?
  2. Apply — What bridge to passivity, fear, or excuses do you need to burn today in order to lead your family with conviction?
  3. Share — Who in your life needs to hear your story of pressing forward despite the weight of the past?

Bible References (ESV)

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV) — “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Genesis 19:26 (ESV) — “But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”


Personal Prayer

Father, give me the courage to move forward and not look back. Help me lead with boldness, no matter what my past looks like.


My Personal Journey & Engagement Call
These weekday reflections flow from my time in God’s Word. I invite you to join me and other Men of the Shepherd in building Christ-centered homes—leading, discipling, and serving like Jesus.
If these reflections encourage you, please like, share, and pass them on so more men can grow in their calling.
To follow along with the weekday readings, check out our Weekday Reflections Playlist on YouTube or subscribe to the YouTube channel here.


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