Morning Devotional
October  12, 2005
"A Good Race" (Part 12)     
    by Don Emmitte

For I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.  (Philippians 1:19-26 NLT).

 

Wow! I wish Paul wouldn’t have said that! Since he was convinced that it was more important that he suffer so that they would be better informed and encouraged, he was willing to forego any future reward and continue in his present suffering. I’m not sure I could do that! If that were my assignment in life, I’m not sure I would willingly accept it.

 

However, that’s precisely what God is asking from all of us. We all have sacrifices we are called on to make so that others might have a clearer path in life. We all are called on to endure challenges in life, so that others might see our actions and be encouraged in their own trials. Believe me when I say that I know that’s not easy to do. However, it is the truth.

 

The question for us today is “Have we accepted our assignment in life?” You may not always get to do what you want to do for God? Have you thought about that? God may send you places you don’t want to go and keep you places you don’t want to stay. Your response (and mine) is to be like Jesus and say “not my will, but your will be done”. Much easier to say than do, but never the less true!

 

I was dealing with someone recently who was sensing a call to do something they really don’t want to do. The call was strong enough that they weren’t really questioning what God wanted them to do. The problem was adjusting his life to the call of God. That would not be easy and he wasn’t sure he could make the sacrifice or commitment. What has God called you to do, or what is He calling you to do? My best advice is to conform to His will and to be obedient. Do the will of God. There is no greater peace to be found than in the center of God’s will for your life.

 

Oh, and one other thing. Once you have taken that step, don’t listen to that voice that incites you to regret. That is not the voice of God. It is your enemy trying to turn you away from the peace that comes when we are centered in the path God has for us. Hang in there! That path leads to victory!