So, i was accepted into the Manager in Training program at my company for 2012, after a 3rd time trying. i heard a lot of 3rd Time is a Charm....
What does that mean?
There is superstition that it is unlucky to take a third light, that is, to be the third person to light a cigarette from the same match or lighter. This superstition is sometimes asserted to have originated among soldiers in the trenches of the First World War when a sniper might see the first light, take aim on the second and fire on the third.- The phrase "Third time's the charm" refers to the superstition that after two failures in any endeavor, a third attempt is more likely to succeed.
Bible Verse
"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus"
Philippians 3:14 (New International Version)
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Press On(1377) GREEK (dioko from dío = pursue, prosecute, persecute) means to follow or press hard after, literally to pursue as one does a fleeing enemy. It means to chase, harass, vex and pressure and was used for chasing down criminals. Dioko speaks of an intensity of effort leading to a pursue with earnestness and diligence in order to obtain. To go after with the desire of obtaining or in some contexts the desire to harm. It gives us the picture of going on the track of something like the hounds on the hunt and pursuing after the fox and implying a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain the goal.
I press toward the mark - As he who was running a race did. The "mark" means properly the object set up at a distance at which one looks or aims, and hence the goal, or post which was set up at the end of a race-course, and which was to be reached in order that the prize might be won. Here it means that which is at the end of the Christian race - in heaven.
For the prize - The prize of the racer was a crown or garland of olive, laurel, pine, or apple; see the notes at 1 Corinthians 9:24. The prize of the Christian is the crown that is incorruptible in heaven.
Of the high calling of God - Which is the end or result of that calling. God has called us to great and noble efforts; to a career of true honor and glory; to the obtainment of a bright and imperishable crown. It is a calling which is "high," or "upward" - (ἄνω anō) - that is, which tends to the skies. The calling of the Christian is from heaven, and to heaven; compare Proverbs 15:24. He has been summoned by God through the gospel of the Lord Jesus to secure the crown. It is placed before and above him in heaven. It may be his, if he will not faint or tire or look backward. It demands his highest efforts, and it is worth all the exertions which a mortal can make even in the longest life.
Bible Verse
1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.(NIV)
You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally(The Message)
Okay this was the long answer for the Question...LOL I have worked hard and have been more focused upon my return to the company. My Leaders have helped refine my leadership skills which has helped me become the Leader i am Today... So, is third time a charm? I'll take it!!! LOL but really it is that pursuit of something, pursuit of the Goal, and of course we cannot forget it's God's timing.
I remember when i was laid off from my full time position at the church, i was so excited, the HR person thought I was nuts, because i really thought i was going to go out a run or lead a Children’s Program somewhere else, based on prayers and “signs”. I eventually took on a interim Director position as a Church. Whoo Hoo, NOT!! God showed me through the blindness of my excitement, that i was burnt out. It was a hard lesson because i was sure it was God's Will for me, but what he really wanted was for me to Chill Out.. Rest.. Train or prepare for the next race.. I am still training and leaving it up to GOD as to the track or route that i am to take...
I Pray that in these tough times that you do not lose sight of that. God has a plan for you! Even though we go through Hell sometimes, we make some good and not so good choices in life, You are still part of His plan! Ask Him what that is, He may not answer right away, or He may be answering you and you are just not wanting to see it.. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God… (Psalm 46:10, NIV). Sometime we just need to listen, sit back and see what we are doing, because chance are you are already doing His work.. It may not look like church work, or serving food at a homeless shelter, it may just being you and setting an example of Christ for the people around you. Just listening to someone at work drop their miseries on you, and they see Christ in you and you lift them up just by buying them a cup of coffee…I may be a Customer at work that you just smile or say something nice that makes their day… Making people laugh… Praying for people, making cakes for people, serving in the community, making a difference in someone’s life, your community… yes we need to support our churches, but that is not the only way God uses our gifts and talents! AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!!
