Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9 (NLT)
PHILIPPIANS 4 SERIES – PART 5
I have this ‘pet-dislike’ for the phrase “and the rest is history”. It implies that a person who was successful only ever made one choice or deliberate successful move and then everything else fell into place. It makes you think that they didn’t have to do anything else on their success journey but sit back and wait for all the accolade, recognition and glory!
No way!! Anything that appears to be a success has had consistent and persistent hard work behind it from day dot! Take, for example, David in his battle with Goliath. We see the glory moment and say “the rest is history” but preceding the battle with the giant is years of honing his skill. Wrestling the bears and the lions. Then after he wins the battle with Goliath he has to hide out in the desert. He’s not crowned king immediately after he wins… biblical history tells us 27 year's pass before that moment!
Paul teaches us a little secret to ongoing success in this verse. Keep putting into practice… don’t give up. Keep applying yourself and keep at it. Whatever God has placed in your heart, make sure you give some energy to it every day, consistently and persistently!
Parenting is a perfect example of this. Imagine saying to a parent “Little Johnny was born and then the rest was history!” Years of painstaking love, tears and joy go into raising a child. It’s definitely not a snap of the fingers and it takes consistency, every day, to help shape a child into the person they become.
But like any process that takes time, there is an incredible satisfaction – a sense of peace and joy – that comes when you see the fruit of applying yourself, day-in and day-out.
Nothing in this life comes easily. Anything worth having takes time and application; anything of value costs something! But in the long run the fruit is always peace and joy… let this day will be filled with it!
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