Morning Devotional
October  3, 2005
"A Good Race" (Part 3)     
    by Don Emmitte

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).

 

Yesterday we continued to look at the key principle of persistence in the Christian life. At least one part of that is described in our reading today. The Philippians got saved and never got over it. They continued serving God well after the initial decision for Christ. Their faithfulness encouraged Paul.

 

The Christian life is a process of growth. This process has its ups and downs. It is not a constant “mountaintop” experience. I’ve never known anyone who was so radically changed at salvation that they never again fell into outward, visible sins. Most of us are saved and then we begin a spiritual journey that lasts a lifetime. Along the way there are periods of slow growth or no growth. There are periods when we progress and other times when we digress. This is not a “falling from grace.” It is the natural result of sin at work in the world and in our life. It is the evidence of the struggle we are faced with each moment of the day. It is a part of the war that rages within and without us. The goal, however, should be that the general direction of our life is headed toward Christ-likeness. Matthew West sings a wonderful contemporary song, “Next Thing You Know,” that is a wonderful reminder of the process of grace. Here are the lyrics:

 

I remember when I was thirteen                                       Got a picture in my head today

I saw a picture on my TV screen                                     of how heaven might look someday

The Reverend Billy Graham and the people singing           I see the people there,

"Just As I Am" And it felt like                                          so I pull up a chair

You were talking to me                                                   And their stories, they blow me away

And the whole world seemed to fade away                       'Cause I can see it on every face

Until I heard my mother say                                            The evidence of grace

"Son, are you okay? Do you wanna pray?"                       And as I listen it occurs to me

And that became the hour I first believed                          Everybody's got their own thirteen

 

[Chorus]                                                                        [Chorus]

Next thing you know I'm high and flyin'                             Next thing you know I'm high and flyin'

Next thing you know My heart is in your hands                 Next thing you know My heart is in your hands

Next thing you know There's no denyin'                            Next thing you know There's no denyin'

Next thing you know I'm a brand new man                        Next thing you know I'm a brand new man

 

Well, I wish I could say                                                   So, what's your story about His glory?

I always stayed right there                                              You gotta find your place in the history of grace

And I did until my freshman year                                     Yeah, what's your story about His glory?

But the world was pulling me a long way from thirteen       Come on and find your place

And you were calling but I didn't hear

Still I knew there was something more

So, one day my knees hit the dorm room floor

I said, "If you're there, and if you really care,

Come and talk to me like I was thirteen."

 

[Chorus]

Next thing you know I'm high and flyin'

Next thing you know My heart is in your hands

Next thing you know There's no denyin'

Next thing you know I'm a brand new man

 

Great question, isn’t it? What is your story? If it has been less than you would like it to be, determine to run a good race. Start over now, and “next thing you know” you’ll be “high and flyin’!”