Paul, A Continue-er

9 days into 2009.
Don't worry, I’m NOT going to ask you how you’re doing with your resolutions. Let’s just say, it's exciting to start new things, and tough to continue. Often enthusiasm wanes as progress plateaus and resolve weakens.

Starting is fun....Continuing is hard. Wouldn't you agree?
Getting a new filing system together is gratifying. Continuing to put papers away at the end of each day gets progressively harder. The spirit is willing, but, heavens to Mergatroid, the flesh is so weak! When we get busy, tired, and cranky we just want to let ourselves off the hook, don’t we?

Do you have a friend who is a continue-er, someone who goes the distance without complaint? I know of one... a Hero of mine actually…
The Apostle Paul, an amazing continue-er.

Paul knew that he had received an urgent God-given calling; yet he spent a lot of time W A I T I N G, in cold, dank prison cells. Still, we never see him fretting or plotting an elaborate escape. Instead of questioning God, he was obedient and bloomed where ever God chose to plant Him. Paul wrote letters and much of what he wrote became part of The New Testament. Even now, almost 2000 years later, eyes are opened and minds renewed because of Paul's pen.

God made eternal use of Paul's "apparent downtimes."

By nature, Paul was a do-er, not a wait-er. In his youth, he was a prominent Pharisee, a relentless over-achiever ... especially when it came to hunting down Christians. But, a face-to-face meeting with the Risen Christ changed all that. He put his own will aside and became a slave to God’s Will. He determined to do only what God directed Him to do… nothing else. After his conversion, Paul spent the rest of his life pouring himself out like a drink offering, on God's altar, pouring the love and knowledge of Christ out into the then-known world.

Paul looked UP, not around. He continued to fight the good fight till he took his last breath. Lord, make us like Paul, teach us to trust You... even when we don't know what You are doing. Bring glory to Your Name, by teaching us to walk in faith with You. Bring strength and stamina to our Christian walk in 2009.
This year, continue to grow us in the things that matter to YOU.
Conform us and CONTINUE to work Your Good Will in us.