Morning Devotional

October  1, 2005
"A Good Race" (Part 1)     
    by Don Emmitte

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Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. (Philippians 1:3-6 NLT).

Having ended our series dealing with the trials of life (see “Ouch” at www.GraceRestoration.org), I thought continuing in Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi might be good. As we enter into the fall of the year and approach the end of 2005, some reflection might be helpful to finish it well. So, today I begin a series called “A Good Race”. In Philippians I see the desire of a man, Paul, who wanted to finish well, but also wanted to encourage others in their spiritual journey. During this series I hope we may learn to apply the passion of Paul to our own life, finding encouragement for us to finish well.

Finishing well is not accomplished by accident. Edmund Burke said of the persistence of Wilberforce, “The greater the goal, the greater the labor required.” James Q. Wilson, a professor of management and public policy, makes the same point—not about Wilberforce or English political history, but about life in the here and now. He says, “The best things in life invariably cost us something. We must sacrifice to attain them, to achieve them, to keep them, even to enjoy them.” The race really does go to the tortoise and not the hare. It is perseverance that ultimately will win the prize, not knowledge, not talent, and not connections. It is that undying tenacity that sets itself on the end, that finishes the race, that completes the task, and that fulfils the responsibility.

Calvin Coolidge observed, “Nothing can take the place of persistence. Talent will not. Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not. Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not. The world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are overwhelmingly powerful.” So, how do we train ourselves to finish what we start? How do we cut across the grain of our instant-everything culture? How do we subdue our got-to-have-it-now appetites so that we can undertake our tasks with forbearance and resolve?

First, in order to finish well in life you and I will have to be on the right path in life. You can’t finish what you haven’t started. Today, as we begin this series, will you look into your own heart and allow God to examine you fully? Are you a disciple of Christ? Do you have a sincere desire to follow Christ? Do you genuinely want to finish well? Once these questions are answered, you will have the basis to continue. If there is any doubt in your mind concerning your relationship to Christ, ask Him to fill your life now.