“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” ~Acts 20:24

In keeping with Keswick’s summer theme, verse it’s been amazing how I’ve been able to apply it to an immense amount of situations in my life. The section of the verse I would like to highlight today is, “so that I may finish my race with joy”.

One of my favorite TV shows is “House”. For those of you that don’t know, the show follows the fictional life of Dr. Gregory House, Head of Diagnostic Medicine at a teaching Hospital in New Jersey. Dr. House is incredibly smart and witty but one of the biggest things he’s is known for, aside from saving the life of everyone on the TV show is that he’s quite miserable. His character can be described as moody, bitter, grumpy and cynical and is often robbing the joy of people around him with his horrible bed side manner.

Having struggled with addiction because of a past injury and being emotionally abused as a child, Dr. House can’t seem to focus on the journey that has been set before him. Consistently looking at the negative things in his life and his own personal selfishness, he has been blinded to the fact that he has the immense blessing of saving people’s lives on a day to day basis.

When I look at his character I can‘t help but think that during our own Christian walk it can be so easy for us to fall into this trap ourselves. Over my past ten years of service here at Keswick I’ve had the great pleasure of rubbing shoulders with hundreds of Christian men and women running their own races in ministry. One of the things I’ve learned along with the way and continue to do so is that running your race with joy is a choice, sometimes a daily one. We need to remember that as believers in Christ we are not only running our own race but are running side by side with others. If we don’t make the decision to choose joy ourselves we can in turn rob others of their joy as well. Jesus says in John chapter fifteen that if we abide in Him that our joy may be full!

As you begin your day I encourage you to choose joy in the race God has sent you on. That in Christ we have been made new, we can rest in His promise that he will see us through any challenge, heartache or fear. That if we abide in Him our own joy will be fulfilled and in turn we won’t rob others of what He has promised to give us. Graeme Wilson serves on the full-time ministry team at America’s Keswick and is our “millennial-in-residence”

Daily Bible Reading: Hosea 12-14; Matthew 20:1-16

Quote of the day: “Joy is of the will which labours, which overcomes obstacles, which knows triumph.” ~William Butler Yeats

Bible Memory: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules.—Psalm 119:106 ESV