Monday Morning Devotion-May 17, 2021

Keep On

Let's not get tired of doing good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing, if we don't give up.  Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone---especially to those in the family of faith.     Galatians. 6:9-10

       Let me share a feel-good story that spoke to me and may touch you as well.  Discovered it in Tony Dungy's great devotional book:  Uncommon Life: Daily Challenge.

            "The story is told that the great Polish pianist and composer Ignace Paderewski was scheduled to perform in Philadelphia."  First, let me interject another story here about how tough the crowds can be in Philadelphia.

            Baseball Player/Broadcaster Bob Uecker said that the fans in Philadelphia can be very hard to please.  He said that on "Easter Sunday when the Phillies players held an Easter Egg hunt on the baseball field for their kids before a game that the fans booed the kids who didn't find any eggs."  Now that's a tough audience!:)

            Anyway, back to the Paderewski Philadelphia story now that you have a better understanding of what Philadelphia fans can be like.  "While the audience was arriving and making their way to their seats for the great pianist's performance, unbeknownst to his mother, a young boy disappeared down the aisle to the foot of the stage.

            "The spotlights shone on the beautiful piano, positioned center stage for the long-awaited concert.  The young lad was fascinated by the piano, so he climbed onstage and onto the piano bench and to the shock of everyone in the concert hall, played his own version of "Chopsticks.'  Immediately some shouts started.

            " 'Who is that boy?'

                'Where are his parents?'

                'Get him off of the stage and away from that piano.'

            "Offstage Paderewski had heard the commotion.  He walked onstage behind the young boy and leaning over him, he began to play the most beautiful melody around the simple tune the boy was playing.  As he did Paderewski whispered in the boy's ear:

            "Don't stop; keep going.  Don't quit;  I'll stay right here by your side.

            "That's what the Master Jesus Christ, is saying to you as you awake to a brand-new day in your life.  Yes, the day may be weighed down at times with discouragement, disappointment, a sense of defeat, and uncertainties, but listen for Jesus' promise:

            "Don't stop; keep going.  Don't quit; I'll stay right here by your side."

            I don't know about you, but that little story spoke out loud to me.  It came at a time where I had some real uncertainties going on.  And what it says is:  "Hey things might be tough in this area or that one in your life.  But I'm here for you.  Relax.  Check in with me.  Listen, then take action."  Now that's some real motivation to keep on going and not give up.

            When determining where things are headed in your future it can be helpful to revisit some parts of your life story that have occurred in your past.  In his book Chase the Lion Mark Batterson writes: "°to tell a better story with your life, identify the inciting incidents in your past---your backstory."

            The inciting incident in your story could basically be some event or happening in your life that directs your course of action in a certain way.   It is an important occurrence.  It is an incident in your backstory that changes your life and redirects your life story.  For example,

I'd say the inciting incident in my story occurred on December 14, 2002.  That's when The Lovely Susette and I got married. We were no longer the main players in our own story but now we were teammates, partners and soulmates. 

            As Batterson says: "(the inciting incident) in turn, enables you to start creating incidents with intentionality---the rest of your story"

            Batterson concludes: "God wants to write His story through your life.  And if you give Him complete control, He'll write an epic.  Of course, it'll involve some epic conflict.  But the God who began a good work in you will carry it to completion."

            The apostle Paul points out that it is important not to weary of doing good.  Doing the right things.  The God-directed things in our life.  He says if we stay the course and don't despair, we will reap the harvest.  Those good things we do will grow into something even bigger and better.

            The Life Application Bible commentary on this says:  "It is discouraging to continue to do right and receive no word of thanks or see no tangible results.  But Paul challenged the Galatians, and he challenges us to keep on doing good and to trust God for the results.  In due time, we will reap a harvest of blessing."

            Think about it.  Is there something in your life, some challenge or some incident that you have continued to try to do the right thing about?  Have you kept on doing it because you felt, in your heart it was the right thing to do, but a lack of observable progress has frustrated you?  Have you felt like saying, "the heck with it? This ain't gonna work out?"  The Bible says don't give up. Don't quit.  Jesus is by your side  He can turn those "chopsticks" you are struggling to make into beautiful music into a magnificent concert.

            Don't quit.  Keep praying and keep doing good.  Then prepare to reap the harvest!

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for always being by our side.  Your presence keeps us going and will not let us quit.    Amen!