The
last mile in a journey is the most important. You could travel for hours, days, weeks and
years and have something happen over the course of the last mile of the journey that would keep you from reaching your destination. The entire
journey is important – but it all comes down to the last mile – and finishing well!
Living
for God is not a flowery bed of ease. It takes someone with character, integrity and guts to live for Jesus! It take a “stick-to-it-tiveness”
that is missing today. Many have started out in a blaze of glory and fire
with great vision and ideas only to fade
when the battle got too rough.
The most important
mile, as well as the most dangerous,
is the last mile
· Ship
– things in the water that could damage the ship
· Race
- one little stumble and you lose
· Boxing
- let down your guard for one second and
you could be knocked out
· Basketball
– many games come down to seconds
It doesn’t matter…
…how many storms
we’ve made it through
…how many miles
we’ve come
…how many battles
we have fought
…how many sacrifices
we have made
…how much effort
we have put forth
…unless we complete the last mile!
In the Bible there are many examples of those who didn’t
complete the last mile:
Lot’s wife – just had to take one last look at what she
was leaving
Phil 3:12 “Brethren I count not myself to have
apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those thing
which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of
God in Christ Jesus”
Moses – failed the final test thereby keeping him from
inheriting the Promised Land
Judas - a preacher of the gospel, sat and walked with
Jesus, witnessed miracles
Demas – forsook Paul “…having loved this present world.”
It has been said, “Where our love is, there we finally are”. Where is your love today? Is it in Jesus?
Or is it in the things of this world? This will determine how you run this
race. Remember, we’re nearing the shore!
The most important
mile in a race is the last mile. Look
out for the good times! They
may be followed by tough times. They
may be followed by turbulent times. We’re
nearing the shore! This brings to mind
the chorus of a song I remember from when I was much younger. Look at these words. They will excite you!
We’re nearing the shore, we’re nearing the shore
Troubles soon will be over, we’ll suffer no more
Trials all passed, victory at last
Oh it is wonderful to be nearing the shore
Troubles soon will be over, we’ll suffer no more
Trials all passed, victory at last
Oh it is wonderful to be nearing the shore
Many dangers confront us as we near the shore. This
is our most important hour – also our
most dangerous. Be on guard! Satan is roaming to and fro seeking whom he
may devour. He will attempt to deceive even the very elect of God if it were possible
We can’t afford to look
back now! I’ve come too far to turn back! Our
ship may be battle-scarred and we may
be weary, but we can’t afford to stop now! We must keep on going – even if we’re weary!
We must keep being faithful! We must keep loving one another! We must keep our focus on Jesus!
I like these encouraging words from the prophet Isaiah:
Isaiah 40:28-31 “Hast thou not
known? Hast thou not heard, that the
everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not,
neither is weary? There is no searching
of His understanding. He giveth power to
the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and
the young men shall utterly fall: But
they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up
with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and
not faint”
Praise God our strength is renewed in Him! If we wait on God and His timing we will
receive strength beyond whatever we thought we could ever have!
Be encouraged on your journey with Jesus, today. Great things await the child of God!
Until next time…enjoy the journey!
Ray
No comments:
Post a Comment