“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14 NIV)
If you saw the title and immediately thought, “That’s Greek to me,” then you were absolutely accurate. The word diōkō is a Greek word, expressed in the verse above as “press on.” The late Reverend Michael Maxis who years ago headed up the Seniors Ministry at the church where I pastor was my walking, in person Greek dictionary. He was originally from Thessalonica and most fluent in Greek. A convert to our church, previously belonging to a Greek Orthodox congregation, he was very valuable when it came to understanding a language I have not mastered. I still need the Greek-Hebrew dictionary as an aid. When he explained the word, it sound like “Diarkos”, so that is how I have pronounced it for years.
He described it as relentlessly pressing on, persistently moving forward as a soldier pursued his military target. A former officer in the Greek Army, I can still remember him demonstrating the word by walking in place as if vigorously marching to a destination. With each step he would say with a powerful tone, “diōkō!” I can hear his voice just like he was here today, “Obstacles in your way… diōkō!” “Problems persisting, prevailing, pushing back against you… diōkō!” “Letdown, shutdown, or putdown… diōkō!” “Even if things are going very good for you, don’t stop… diōkō!” Bereavement besetting you or the best of times blessing you… diōkō!” This particular Greek word should be a part of our Christian vocabulary each and every day! Do you agree?
That includes today, this day after the holiday weekend. Many will return to work and others will get back in their regular routine. Regardless of all the places you may go this Tuesday, remember your destiny is always upward, from a spiritual perspective; always on to battle! Today, whatever awaits you, confronts you, test you, or tempts you, you know what you must do! Yes, you are right! Diōkō, diōkō, diōkō! Press on my friend and be victorious, not a victim; be a leader and not a loser; be an example and not an exception to the fact that you are saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Spirit! You are powered by the One who arose with all power in His hands; Jesus the Christ! Now, do what you are supposed to do, diōkō! March on! Get on with it! Diōkō! Be blessed!
“Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls.” (Hebrews 12:1-3 The Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King