Advent Day 15

Growing up I played a lot of ball and basketball was the sport that came most natural to me.  It was through basketball I remember learning something hard about life during my 7th grade year.  I was having a good season but struggling in one specific area.  Some games went great.  Every pass I made, every shot I took, every rebound I went after seemed to go my way.  On the other hand, there were games I was not doing well.  At times it seemed every shot I took, pass I made, or defensive maneuver I attempted resulted in less-than-optimal results.  The lesson I learned that season was that of consistency. 

It has been several years since my 7th grade basketball season but the reality of the challenge of consistency in life still is present.  You see it was in my 7th grade year I made a profession of faith in Christ and choose to follow Him.  This path has not been perfect and far from easy but what I am continuing to learn and attempting to grow in is this.  My abilities are severely limited while Christ’s are not.  There are days I don’t feel good. Some days I fight negative attitudes, some days I am physically sore, some days I just don’t want to. 

The good news of Christmas is that consistent and sure hope came to the world to correct the bad.  God the Father taking on flesh through His Son lived the life you and I cannot.  Jesus struggled just like you and I but He did so perfectly.  

Today consider how you have made less than perfect choices.  Consider how anxiety, fear, physical challenges, etc. weigh on you.  In prayer consider Paul’s encouraging words.  God not only started a good work in you through Christ He will also fully complete that work.  Remember, God does nothing in half measure.  Thank God that it was He, through Christ, that started this redemptive work within us and it is He that will be sure to complete it!          

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6