Keep on Going . . .

I find it interesting that a couple of our more recent verses have to do with this idea of “pressing on” and “persevering through” the race the Lord has given each of us. Perhaps we are all at the end of our “corona virus ropes” and need the push to continue on running the race faithfully, or maybe it’s simply because the Lord knew we need to be reminded to place importance on running the daily race of living for Him and to run it well! Either way–that’s twice we’ve been given a similar word–I think our ears should perk up and we might want to pay attention.

Our guest blogger is Diane, who has been a mentor and precious friend in my life. She has spoken volumes to me through her humble attitude and servant’s heart. We have spent many hours drinking coffee and/or tea and talking. Hear her heart . . .

“No dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13-14, NLT

“Not the end of my story …”

I think the three dots (…) would be good for me to remember on a daily basis.  Have you ever thought about the meaning of the three dots?  It is actually called an “ellipsis” and according to Webster means “a sign (such as …) used in print text to show that words have been left out”. My interpretation is “that’s not all there is to the story”.  So taking a bit of creative license here, I am using the ellipsis to indicate that “God isn’t finished with me yet”.  His story (my history) is being written anew every single day that I am alive.  And for me, that is both freeing and hopeful (even in these trying times of COVID-19).  

I started my journey with Jesus on Easter Sunday of 1980 at the age of 28.  Almost immediately the Lord placed me in a church that encouraged and loved me into that part of my history.  Prior to this point, my history was scarred and hopeless – But GOD had another plan for this now seasoned lady – one of hope and freedom!  Because of that very tarnished past, this verse, especially the “forgetting the past” part – became my life verse.  Jesus, my redeemer and creator, accepted me right where I was but loved me too much to leave me there and urged me to “press on”.  

As a baby Christian and throughout much of my early journey with Jesus, I clung to these verses as my hope, and forgetting the past was my focus.  Although at times I still need to remind myself to forget my past, now my focus is more about pressing on to reach the end of the race.  God has a purpose and a plan for me (running the race) and ultimately living in heaven with Him (the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling me). 

So how do I run this race?  Steady, one foot in front of the other, taking the next step as God shows it to me.  I have found that He gives me enough light to see that next step – and once I have taken that next step – often times the rest is unfolded before me or I get a glimpse of what is to come.  And so it goes, next step after next step, after next step, etc.

Several years ago I was trained to do home hemodialysis for my husband who was in kidney failure.  I had to stick him with a needle every day that we did dialysis, and in the process I would imagine Jesus guiding my hand every single time.  We did that for six years.  He was blessed with a kidney transplant five years ago.  After that step was complete, I felt the Lord tell me to go back to nursing school.  I wanted to be a nurse all my life, but I was already 64 and I wondered if I was too old to start a new career.   I decided I would be 67 (when I finished nursing school) whether I went or not.  So I took that next step, and the rest of that step beautifully unfolded for me. I have now been working as a nurse for 15 months (at age 67) on the ACE (acute care for elders) unit at UAB Highlands.  It is a calling, not a job, and I couldn’t be happier. 

 I continue to take next steps as He directs.  All of the steps are riddled with a certain amount of fear – because usually they entail taking a step into the unknown.  But with Jesus walking ahead of me, beside me and coming behind me, how can I go wrong?  It is the safest place I can possibly be – the palm of HIS hand as I run this race for Him.  

I love the study of words, particularly the Greek words that are translated into our New Testament.  I am by no means a Greek scholar and don’t know the language, but I enjoy doing the research on words.  The word used in verse 12 is “teleioo” which means “to make perfect, complete, finish, bring to an end”. That Greek word made me think of “tetelestai” – the final words of Jesus on the cross – also meaning to bring to an end, complete.  The same Greek root word can be used with different tenses as we see in John 19.  “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished (tetelestai), to fulfill (teleiothe) the Scripture, said, ‘I am thirsty’”. Then in John 19:30 he says “It is finished” (tetelestai”)  Did you catch it?  Read it again slowly – “it is finished”.  His shed blood and His resurrection three days later paid my way into heaven and wrote the end of my story.   

Ok so I have a beginning and an end to my HIStory, now it’s time to fill in the three dots.  Letting God write my HIStory is never boring.  What are you going to do with the three dots in your HIStory?

Diane Wadsworth