After Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States, issued his famous "I do not choose to run" statement, he was besieged by reporters wanting details. One persistent journalist kept asking, "Exactly why don't you want to be president again?" "Because," Coolidge replied, "there's no chance for advancement!"

Although spoken with humor, his answer hints at the letdown that often follows high attainment. When a goal is reached, the anticipation associated with it is gone.

Even though we experience letdowns in the Christian life, we never come to the place where there's no room for growth. The apostle Paul described himself as spiritually mature (Phil. 3:15), yet he also declared that he wasn't perfect (v.12). He was aiming for the goal of being like Christ in all of life's varied experiences, whether he was enjoying prosperity or enduring adversity. He knew that attaining the goal of Christlikeness takes a lifetime.

Oh, to have that same restless contentment! Our soul's deepest longings are satisfied when we know Jesus as our Savior, but we must keep pressing on to know Him better and to become more like Him! That's the mark of a growing Christian. There's always room for advancement.  — Dennis J. De Haan