B’s Get Degrees…Sometimes

I remember my first day of class as a leadership doctoral student. We were all in a large lecture hall. The director of the program stood up in the front and said, “You are all used to getting A’s. Lose that right now and remember this from now on, B’s get degrees.” Then he continued and said, “Turn and take a good look at the person on your left. Now take a good look at the person on your right. Half of the people you just looked at will not be here this time next year.” It was a very intimidating start to my doctoral program! The truth is I did not believe him. No way could it be true. This is a doctoral program! Yet sure enough, by that time next year half the people we had turned and looked at were no longer there.

Some opted out because the work was too hard. Some were asked to leave. Others had life changes such as loss of a job, family changes, or relocations and could not continue. We lost a lot of good people that year. Yet thus began what would be a five year journey studying leadership every week, every month, every year for five years. I was one of the fortunate ones who graduated. During the journey, I learned a lot about myself, a lot about life, and a lot about leadership. A whole lot about leadership.   

But perhaps one of the most important lessons I learned is in order to succeed, you don’t have to be the best, but you do have to be persistent. Only about 20% of our class ended up with their Ph.D’s. Those of us who completed the program weren’t the smartest, the brightest, or the best. We simply kept going regardless of how difficult things became. We simply refused to give up….ever.

In Philippians 3:14 the Apostle Paul wrote,

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Four things stand out to me about Paul’s words.

1. Paul is pressing on: The idea of pressing on assumes there is resistance. If there were no resistance then Paul would not have to press on in going forward. Spiritual growth is like this. It requires us to press on because it is hard to grow spiritually.

2. Paul’s goal is to win the prize: Paul is pressing forward because he has a specific goal to win a prize. For Paul, it is a spiritual prize. The image of his prize motivates him…keeps him pressing forward. What is the prize you are pressing forward for? More spiritual growth…greater joy…peace…an eternal reward?

3. God has called Paul heavenward: For Paul, much of his motivation came from his sense of calling from God. He knew God called him heavenward so he pressed forward. In the same way God has called you heavenward. This is why it is important for you to press on and not give up. Press on toward the goal.

4. Paul presses on in Christ Jesus: For Paul, it was impossible for him to press forward in his own strength. He knew that. It is also impossible for us to press on in our own strength. We need to pursue our spiritual growth “in Christ Jesus.”

Like Paul, don’t give up on your spiritual growth. Press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called you.