He Won’t Give Up
This has been an interesting weather day. Fall must be on its way. I’m glad that I got out with the dog during our brief morning time of sun and warmth. I had a good visit with my palliative care nurse today. We are working on the coordination of a care plan with all of my doctors. The goal is to ensure that the issues that confront me are having the follow up that will lead to restoration of full health. My reoccurring infections are certainly at the epicenter of these concerns.
Tomorrow morning I return to Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital for my outpatient therapy. It will be interesting to see where I stand as they will need to do some reassessments after my recent hospitalization.
This past Friday, I was able to stop at L&R Pallet Company in Denver. Larry and Doris Ruder started this company over thirty-five years ago. Oldest son James and his wife Carie are now overseeing the day to day operations of this successful family business. Debbie and I have known the Ruder family since we were first married. It has been a joy to see the Lord’s blessing on their life.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
The Lord’s work that begins in our life when we begin to follow Him, is an ongoing work until Christ returns. We continue to be a “work in progress” because we all face challenges and ups and downs in life. As Paul writes to believers in the city of Philippi he thanks God for their partnership in the gospel and being fellow partakers of God’s grace. ( 1:5-7) Yet as with any follower of Christ in the first century they encountered opposition. Paul writes this letter to let them know they can experience joy as they serve the Lord. At the end of the letter he says, “…rejoice in the Lord always…” (4:4)
At the bedrock of that ability to rejoice in the Lord is the knowledge that God doesn’t give up on us, He doesn’t stop working in and through our lives as we follow Him. That means we learn to trust Him and to keep our eyes upon Him. It is in this letter that Paul himself expresses his priority in life when he says, “…one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (3:13,14)
There is an end point of God’s work in our lives. It is the day when Christ returns for His children. The Apostle John wrote of that day in these words, “But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2)
In the mean time be open to the work that Lord is doing in your life. In good times and in tough times. Devotional writer Sarah Young in her book, Jesus Calling reminds us, “[The Lord] is always available to you. Once you have trusted in [Him] as your Savior, [He will] never distance [Himself] from you.” (Jesus Calling, pg. 263)
Whether “seasoned saint” or “diligent seeker” the Lord desires to work in you to conform you to His will…His ways…His character. That is what following Him is all about. If we continue to follow Him, He will lead us to His home.