Finishing Our Race with Joy
The apostle Paul liked to refer to the Christian life as a long race. Here in Acts 20:24 he expresses his desire to finish his race with joy and to finish the ministry God had given to him. I believe we all should have this goal. God wants us to live in joy, not in drudgery.
Life is hard. The Christian life is difficult. There are many trials and tribulations along the way. It is a long race, and we do not know when it will end. Therefore, we have to keep persevering until the end. In all of this we should not be just enduring, but conquering. We should not be limping home to heaven, but running with joy all the way. Remember, joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. As we yield to Him, He can and will give us joy, no matter what comes into our lives, or how hard the race becomes.
I pray for each of you as believers to have joy in your journey every step of the way. If you are without joy, stop to ask the Lord to show you the problem or the sin that is dragging you down. Get rid of it by giving the problem to God or repenting of the sin. Then, resume the race of life in His joy.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 21-23.
Life is hard. The Christian life is difficult. There are many trials and tribulations along the way. It is a long race, and we do not know when it will end. Therefore, we have to keep persevering until the end. In all of this we should not be just enduring, but conquering. We should not be limping home to heaven, but running with joy all the way. Remember, joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. As we yield to Him, He can and will give us joy, no matter what comes into our lives, or how hard the race becomes.
I pray for each of you as believers to have joy in your journey every step of the way. If you are without joy, stop to ask the Lord to show you the problem or the sin that is dragging you down. Get rid of it by giving the problem to God or repenting of the sin. Then, resume the race of life in His joy.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 21-23.