“So, I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above.” (Philippians 3:14 Good News Translation)
Almost is not enough. Two and four-fifths is almost three. If three is the goal, almost is not enough. Almost having enough saved to purchase something you desire, being just a couple of coins short of the sale price shows you are getting there, but again, almost is not enough. Almost is never enough. Almost went to church is not enough. You should have gone. Almost did not yield to temptation is not enough. You should have taken the way out that the Lord simultaneously provided you with the temptation. Almost on time does not make you punctual. You are still late. And, repeating my premise, “Almost is not enough.” Almost conquered my fears; almost overcome my anxiety; almost lived up to my potential; almost studied the word; almost have controlled my tongue to the point that you never spoke a vulgar word; almost beat my addiction; almost is not enough.
Replace “almost” with “most,” to signify that you are pressing forward as it relates to your Christian discipleship in all areas of your life. And then, continuously work on replacing “most” with “always” and at that point you are making perfect progress, but you realize the even “always” calls for an improvement in our ways.
This is your “short” meditation for the week, but hopefully it will cause you to ponder on “almost” for a long time. Keep striving, keep pressing on, keep making perfect progress, and keep running as to win the race. Answer these questions: “Aren’t you glad that Jesus did not “almost” die on the cross to save us from our sins?” Aren’t you glad that He did not almost leave us a Helper, the Holy Spirit? Have a great Wednesday! Be blessed!
“Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! (Hebrews 12:1-3 The Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King