Good morning, brothers and sisters.
Our verse for today comes from Acts 11:26, “And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”
We make a big deal out of firsts in our society. In fact, if a person manages to be the first one to do such and such, it practically becomes part of their name. Seemingly every mention of Chuck Yeager, who died a few days ago, included the tagline that he was the first person to break the sound barrier. Charles Lindbergh accomplished many things during his life, some more honorable than others, but he will forever be the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Even we of no notoriety can catalogue many of our own personal firsts. Just yesterday I made mention of my first car. My son and his young bride will sign the papers tomorrow on their first house. As memorable as each of her babies were and are, every mother vividly remembers their first delivery and holding that newborn for the first time. Do you (want to?) remember that first day in school? Not every first comes with joy and pleasant memories. The first chemo treatment, or your first time attending a funeral, are not experiences that one tends to linger on. But of the countless firsts that have come your way, which have gone on to become seconds, thirds, and then thousands? Our lives are filled with habits and patterns. We are woefully predictable in so many ways. Some of those tendencies are lovely traditions that play out for the holidays, while others are ugly traits that reveal themselves in hurtful, wounding ways.
Our calling as followers of Christ is to allow our renewed heart and mind to produce in us a transformation that increases the rate of occurrence of the Christlike qualities that the Holy Spirit placed in us while decreasing the instances of our old self blowing things up. But none of that is likely to happen unless we will spend time in honest assessment of our current status, willing to call things for what they are, and recognize that the beauty and glory God saved us to is not how we naturally lean. When we first can admit that, then the series of firsts that will follow will rival any list that we may have. And whether it’s your first time doing this or your first time not doing that, It can be the beginning of a whole new you.
As we seek Him today, pinpoint an item that needs to have its last run, and go to God to find a new first.
Have a great first day of the work week.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
