Philippians 3:12
As I grew up, I became an avid fan of hockey, and in particular, the Detroit Red Wings. I still remember my dad coming into my bedroom when I was a kid and asking me if I had ever heard of the Red Wings' new draft pick. His name was Steve Yzerman. Of course, Yzerman would become one of the greatest players in NHL history in the next two decades.
For many years, the Red Wings would play well in the regular season only to falter in the playoffs. Whether it was the Maple Leafs or the Sharks or the Devils or especially the hated Avalanche, my beloved team simply could not get over the hump to win Lord Stanley’s Cup.
In my mind, I believed that it would never happen. I remember thinking that if the Red Wings could JUST WIN ONE STANLEY CUP I would be satisfied for the rest of my life. I still remember that fateful day when it finally happened. The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Philadelphia Flyers on June 7, 1997, to win the Stanley Cup. This victory marked the Red Wings' first Stanley Cup win in 42 years. The Red Wings swept the Flyers in four games to secure the championship. In that moment as the clock was ticking down, I was shaking...that’s how excited I was. Finally, it happened! I couldn’t believe it! I was thrilled out of my mind!
Then, summer came. Then, the next season started. Then, the playoffs started again, and guess what...I wanted to win it again! Why? Because I found myself unsatisfied with one championship. Ultimately, I learned a valuable lesson – DON'T EVER SETTLE FOR THE PAST!
When the Apostle Paul spoke of the past, he always did so with a guarded gratitude. He saw his purpose as never-ending until he was face to face with Jesus. That is why Paul spoke of “striving” or “running hard after” his purpose in Christ. He didn’t want to “slow down” the older he was. He didn’t want to “slow down” the more accomplished he was. Instead, he wanted to “finish his race” with a passionate purpose. There were still people to evangelize. There were still churches to start. There were still disciples to equip. There was still work to be done. Paul had a holy dissatisfaction! How about you?
Sadly, many Christians are “burned out” from serving Jesus. They feel as if they have “done their part,” and it is now time to relax. Not the Apostle Paul. He wanted to enter heaven “racing hard toward Jesus!” In other
words, he wanted to be done serving when his body could no longer do so. He wanted to “win more championships” while he could.
My favorite team would go on to win three more Stanley Cup championships after June 7, 1997. The funny thing is I was never satisfied when the next year started. I always wanted to win another one. We need to have the same mindset in serving the Lord.
Maybe you’ve been used by God to do great things in the past. That’s awesome, but that’s the past! What about right now? Don’t allow the past to hold you back either through guilt or the “good” you’ve already accomplished. Press on for greater things! If you have breath in your lungs, God is not done with you yet! Take a few minutes and read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 to see Paul’s mindset in serving Jesus. Ask yourself the following questions:
1. How aggressively am I pursuing my spiritual purpose in Christ?
2. Am I living according to “God’s rules” in integrity and honesty?
3. What “distractions” do I need to remove from my life?
4. How am I protecting against “disqualifying” my testimony?
Paul “pushed himself” until he met Jesus! Get off the “couch” and “get into the game!” There is more to do for the Savior!
As I grew up, I became an avid fan of hockey, and in particular, the Detroit Red Wings. I still remember my dad coming into my bedroom when I was a kid and asking me if I had ever heard of the Red Wings' new draft pick. His name was Steve Yzerman. Of course, Yzerman would become one of the greatest players in NHL history in the next two decades.
For many years, the Red Wings would play well in the regular season only to falter in the playoffs. Whether it was the Maple Leafs or the Sharks or the Devils or especially the hated Avalanche, my beloved team simply could not get over the hump to win Lord Stanley’s Cup.
In my mind, I believed that it would never happen. I remember thinking that if the Red Wings could JUST WIN ONE STANLEY CUP I would be satisfied for the rest of my life. I still remember that fateful day when it finally happened. The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Philadelphia Flyers on June 7, 1997, to win the Stanley Cup. This victory marked the Red Wings' first Stanley Cup win in 42 years. The Red Wings swept the Flyers in four games to secure the championship. In that moment as the clock was ticking down, I was shaking...that’s how excited I was. Finally, it happened! I couldn’t believe it! I was thrilled out of my mind!
Then, summer came. Then, the next season started. Then, the playoffs started again, and guess what...I wanted to win it again! Why? Because I found myself unsatisfied with one championship. Ultimately, I learned a valuable lesson – DON'T EVER SETTLE FOR THE PAST!
When the Apostle Paul spoke of the past, he always did so with a guarded gratitude. He saw his purpose as never-ending until he was face to face with Jesus. That is why Paul spoke of “striving” or “running hard after” his purpose in Christ. He didn’t want to “slow down” the older he was. He didn’t want to “slow down” the more accomplished he was. Instead, he wanted to “finish his race” with a passionate purpose. There were still people to evangelize. There were still churches to start. There were still disciples to equip. There was still work to be done. Paul had a holy dissatisfaction! How about you?
Sadly, many Christians are “burned out” from serving Jesus. They feel as if they have “done their part,” and it is now time to relax. Not the Apostle Paul. He wanted to enter heaven “racing hard toward Jesus!” In other
words, he wanted to be done serving when his body could no longer do so. He wanted to “win more championships” while he could.
My favorite team would go on to win three more Stanley Cup championships after June 7, 1997. The funny thing is I was never satisfied when the next year started. I always wanted to win another one. We need to have the same mindset in serving the Lord.
Maybe you’ve been used by God to do great things in the past. That’s awesome, but that’s the past! What about right now? Don’t allow the past to hold you back either through guilt or the “good” you’ve already accomplished. Press on for greater things! If you have breath in your lungs, God is not done with you yet! Take a few minutes and read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 to see Paul’s mindset in serving Jesus. Ask yourself the following questions:
1. How aggressively am I pursuing my spiritual purpose in Christ?
2. Am I living according to “God’s rules” in integrity and honesty?
3. What “distractions” do I need to remove from my life?
4. How am I protecting against “disqualifying” my testimony?
Paul “pushed himself” until he met Jesus! Get off the “couch” and “get into the game!” There is more to do for the Savior!
Posted in Devotional