A few days ago Kevin said,” Hey Mary let me read something to you.” 

            A note from Max…..

“Imagine that you are an ice skater in competition.  You are in first place with one more round to go.  If you perform well, the trophy is yours.  You are nervous, anxious, and frightened.  Then, only minutes before your performance, your trainer rushes to you with the thrilling news:  “You’ve already won!  The judges tabulated the scores, and the person in second place can’t catch you.  You are too far ahead.   Upon hearing the news, how will you feel?  Exhilarated!   And how will you skate? ... How about courageously and confidently?  You bet you will.  You will do your best because the prize is yours.  The point is clear: truth will triumph.  The Father of truth will win, and the followers of truth will be saved.”  Written by Max Lucado

           

How then shall we run our race dear Christian? … courageously, confidently, joyfully!!!  We are assured the prize if we are in Christ Jesus.   I just keep going back to this story and pondering… Am I living today like someone who is assured of heaven?  Hard to imagine isn’t it? That we can actually live in victory like that!   We can, but this is where we need help from the Holy Spirit to open our eyes.  That is why I love the prayer in Ephesians 1:18-19 ”I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.”  Oh Lord, give us Holy Spirit power to truly see our inheritance so that we can run this Christian race in total freedom and victory!   

p.s.  Happy 63rd Birthday Dad!!