Old Dog Learns Lessons

Many of you are aware that I recently “ran” my first official 10K race. First of all, I want to report that there is good and bad news. The good news: I ran the race, I finished the course that was before me, and I even received a medal at the end.

The bad news: I did not finish nearly as well as intended. In fact, I was third to last.

What I want to share is that there were a few lessons learned by this old dog! One of those is that young Dominicans run fast! In fact, many of them ran the entire course in half the time it took me, and that’s because they can run twice as fast!

I was also able to discern a few parallels between running a 10K race and our spiritual journey.

#1 Preparation Is Everything!
I came to realize that I was not nearly as prepared for this event as I should have been and could have been. Diet, Rest, and Exercise are of utmost importance (especially the older and more mature we become). It is easy to think, “I’ve got this,” when we have not prepared and planned properly.

#2 No Excuses!
The truth is that I had slept only about two hours the night before the run. In addition, I could not even find a cup of coffee the morning of the event! I wanted to say, “Forget this, let’s go to the beach instead!”

#3 Passion Is Essential!
My inner man kept saying, “We will run this race and finish the course.” There was an excitement on the inside that caused me to move forward. I could see myself finishing the race before it even started.

#4 This Was A CHALLENGE, Not A COMPETITION!
This is perhaps the most important lesson. We are not competing against other runners. We have a challenge set before us, and it is more about accomplishing something that honors God and brings personal reward as well.

Those are just a few of the highlights of my experience; there are more. I believe they relate to our spiritual journey as well.

We must take time to properly prepare and become “skilled in the Word of righteousness.” Scripture says that God prepares our hands for war, but we must be willing to give Him our hands. In addition, when we stand before Christ, we will be without excuse. Our works will be judged, and we will receive His just reward or suffer loss. It is essential to keep the fire burning, stir up the gifts that are in us, and remain passionate for the King and His Kingdom. This may seem more difficult as we age. Finally, keep in mind, this is our own personal walk; we are not competing against other believers, churches, ministries, etc.

Christ has set a path before us; may we run the entire length! I pray each of us fights the fight, runs the race, finishes the course, and obtains a crown!

I'd like to personally thank all who gave generous donations for this fundraiser! Over $500 was raised which will go towards an upcoming, strategic endeavor. May God bless you mightily!

Grace and Peace,
PG

Our First Love

Let’s turn to the last book of the Bible, Revelation. In the first couple of chapters, the Lord is speaking specifically to the seven churches. This is not a message regarding End Times, this is a present-day message for the Church. Jesus spoke to the seven churches and had a strong word of correction for at least six of them. Therefore, this is also perhaps a word of caution, and I trust that it will be received in the same spirit in which it is delivered.

 

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: ² “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars” (Revelation 2:1-3).

 

The Lord has such a way with words, doesn’t He? Can you imagine a preacher saying something like that today? I could almost guarantee that people would take offense and many would not want to return to hear what else he had to say. One thing about Jesus, He was not mealy-mouthed! He said what He meant, and He meant what He said. Yet, Jesus always spoke in love just as we are encouraged to speak the truth in love.

 

I used to be one who made a big point of speaking the truth, but I had to learn that speaking the truth in and of itself was not sufficient . . . as noble as it sounds. Love is to be the motivation as it certainly was in all that Jesus said and did. Let’s revisit that last verse.

 

^{3 "}And you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.”

 

At the beginning of Jesus’ address, He gave them kudos and great commendation. Then we pick up in verse 4 . . .

 

⁴ Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

 

I want to pray for just a moment. Father, I pray that this word will sink deep into our hearts, take root, and produce fruit. We pray that You might be glorified through Your Word being demonstrated in our lives, in Jesus’ name, amen.

 

The message above is really about leaving our first love. I believe that it is relevant for the Church and for individuals in the Body today. Have we left our first love? Jesus makes it very, very clear that we can be involved with a lot of good works. We can persevere. We can demonstrate great patience. We can test and try spirits. We can even become intolerant of falsehood. Yet, even with all of those things taking place in our lives, we can be guilty of leaving our first love.

 

Many times the questions are asked, “How can someone fall away after having known such great grace? How is it that Christians can so routinely, seemingly, fall woefully short of the will of God?” I believe that it comes down to this primary issue, folks, and I’m going to express it very simply and as it is in my heart. The answer is that we fall away from our first love.

 

Who or what is our first love? Now, most people will give the pat answer of, “Jesus.” I really want us to examine our hearts and ponder that question. Is Jesus really my first love? We know that in at least three of the four Gospel accounts that the Scripture says, “So he answered and said, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27). That Scripture—the great command to Israel—is quoted by at least three of the four Gospel writers. Love God with all of your heart and with all of your mind. In other words, your mind should be stayed upon the Lord. Isaiah said, “Happy (prosperous and to be envied) is the man whose mind is stayed upon the Lord” (paraphrased).

 

Jesus was very clear regarding the greatest commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your mind and with all of your strength.” Then He gave a second equally important commandment in which He said, “And you shall love your neighbor even as you love yourself.” This brings us to two more questions: Is it possible to love others if we don’t truly love God, and is it possible to truly love God if we’re not demonstrating love towards one another?

 

Oftentimes I feel that we in the Church fall short in this great essential truth that the Word of God sets before us: loving God and loving one another. Let’s determine to examine our hearts today and see who or what we are giving the honor of being in the seat of “our first love.”

 

Grace and peace,

pg