As we step into 2025, I want to take a moment to thank God that we’ve made it this far—together. Through years of uncertainty, questions, and faith, we have waited, hoped, and believed. And I want to declare again: I STILL HOPE IN THE LORD! I still believe in His healing power! I still believe He is the only hope for Winchester!
But now, as we enter a new season, God is calling us to EMBRACE THE RACE He has set before us. He has given COLG and its people a course to run, and it’s time to take hold of what He is offering us!
The Race Is Not Our Own
In Acts 20:24 (NASB20), Paul makes a powerful statement:
“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.”
Paul had reached a place in his journey where he understood that his life wasn’t about his own ambitions, desires, or preferences. If he was going to finish his course, he had to die to himself and fully submit to God’s purpose.
That’s the challenge for us today! Most Christians struggle because our ways, our expectations, and our preferences are constantly at odds with God’s. We thought our lives, our ministries, our families, and our church would look a certain way—but God has His own design.
If we want to finish what God has started in us, we must surrender our ambitions, desires, and preferences to His greater plan. It’s not about how we thought things would look—it’s about trusting that God’s way is better!
Finishing Is the Goal
Paul didn’t just want to start the race—he was determined to finish. Too many people start strong but fizzle out when things get tough. But God isn’t just looking for starters; He’s looking for finishers.
To finish, we must recognize that the course we are running is not one of our own design. Paul says his course and ministry were from the Lord Jesus. The Greek word used for “from” (para) means “near.” That tells us something—the course and the ministry are found in nearness to Jesus.
Jesus invites us into the race. He doesn’t force us, but He offers us a path. It’s our choice to take hold of it.
Taking Hold of What Has Taken Hold of Us
Paul didn’t just passively receive his course—he took hold of it. The Greek word for “received” (lambano) means to take hold of something offered.
That’s what we must do. God is offering us a race to run, a ministry to fulfill, and a testimony to share. But we have to embrace it.
We don’t run this race alone. God is present in the course, no matter what comes. Whether it brings miracles, breakthroughs, and victories, or hardships, struggles, and suffering—if Jesus is present in it, we can endure it.
Our Race, Our Testimony
This course and this ministry are not just for us—they are meant to testify to the world about the grace of God.
To whom?
To our families.
To our city.
To Winchester.
To Central Kentucky.
To the world.
So, as we step into this new year, let’s make a decision:
• We will yield our ambitions, desires, and preferences to God.
• We will finish the course He has given us—on His terms, not ours.
• We will take hold of what has taken hold of us.
Paul says in Philippians 3:12 (NASB20):
“Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus.”
Let’s embrace the race, knowing that our course will testify of the good news of God’s grace.
Are you ready to run?
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