Progress Report Time

This week progress reports came out at school. I know this can be an anxious time for parents, as they find out how their children are doing at school. Before report cards come out in a couple of weeks, it is an opportunity to do something about their grades if they are not very good. Cameron got his and I am happy to report he is doing well (in case you were concerned!)

The progress reports got me to thinking about what our progress might look like if our church got one. I think it would look pretty good! We are seeing more and more new faces visit our church. We are ministering to our community on all age levels. We are doing a good job of mission work. We are being faithful with our tithes. We have seen some incredible miracles surrounding our prayer ministry with the healing of some who have been really sick. We are seeing a good number of baptisms. We are even making progress on additional parking and soon the new building. It all looks good.

I imagine several students got great progress reports but that does not mean they get to take a few weeks off. They must continue to press forward to enhance their education. I believe the same must be the case for FBC Grandview. It would be really easy for us to sit back and pat ourselves on the back and say to one another, “You have done a really good job!” I challenge you to press on in your faith . . . be diligent in praying for one another, be faithful in continually asking the Lord if you are being obedient in the area of giving. Seek out new ways to minister and love those around you.

In 1992 following five operations, British runner Derek Redman was hoping to win gold at the Barcelona Olympics. Everything seemed to be going well for the 400 meter race. He had recorded the fastest time in the quarter-final heat. He was pumped up—ready to go. As the gun sounded, he got off to a clean start. But at 150 meters, his right hamstring muscle tore, and he fell to the ground. When he saw the stretcher-bearers rushing toward him, he jumped up and began hobbling toward the finish line. Despite the pain, he continued to move forward. Soon another person joined him on the track. It was his father. Arm in arm . . . hand in hand . . . They moved toward the finish line together. Just before they crossed, Derek’s dad let go of his son, so that Derek could finish the race on his own. The crowd of 65,000 stood to their feet cheering and clapping as Derek finished the race. Heartbreaking? Yes! Encouraging? Yes! Emotional? Yes! We all need to finish the race and finish it well.

God, who began a good work in you, wants you to finish the race. He wants you to endure. He wants you to be successful. He wants you to finish and finish well. God does not leave you to run the race alone!

God is doing amazing things in our midst. I am excited to have been a part of what He has done, but I get even more excited thinking about what He is preparing us to do! I hope you do as well!

Training to finish strong!