Aim High



Well, all work here came to a stop for a few minutes today as the USAF aerial demonstration team - the Thunderbirds - did their practice for this weekend's air show. With 5 F-16's roaring overhead, you couldn't hear yourself think anyway, so under NW Florida's impossibly blue skies, people pulled off the road, others even in our church parking lot - to look up.



I am not sure how often we do that unless we're drawn to by the extraordinary.



But we ought to always. Excellence in what we do, as demonstrated so well today overhead by the Thunderbirds, should be the norm, not the exception. Paul wrote about that when he wrote:



1 Cor. 9:24-26 (Msg)

You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. [25] All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.

[26] I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me!



When we look at those who have trained well and perform at such a high level, we should take a moment and ask ourselves "Am I giving it everything I've got?"



As believers, we can train for each day by praying to God, reading His Word, and by meeting with Him in worship. And unlike a performance an athlete does, we can exercise the benefits of that training in our everyday lives. The fruits of the Spirit are our medals.



Galatians 5:22 (Msg)

But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments.



So don't be satisfied with where you are - aim high!



Grace!





David Wilson



This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.