Daily Devotionals

Walk Onward With Christ

Posted in Serving/Missions

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

This summer, I took part in the Eastminster Experience (E2) program working as an intern for the church and learning all about the community we have within our church and more about the community we have here in Columbia. I truly realized how blessed I was and knew that, because I was so blessed, I must be a blessing to others. 

Philippians 1:6, a verse from our scripture reading today, says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” This verse holds a special meaning in my heart thanks to my time spent as an intern here at Eastminster. A few weeks ago, a group of high schoolers, adults, and three college students ventured to Vidor, Texas, a town just outside of Houston, to help with flood relief. The organization that made this trip possible, Youth Works, used that same verse, Philippians 1:6, to describe their mission for the summer. Their mission was to walk ONWARD with Jesus, to see His good works through to completion through serving those around us by being a blessing to others. 

During our time in Vidor, it was so easy to unreservedly love Jesus and serve his people. It became exciting to prime and paint an unairconditioned Texas home in late July because we knew that the couple, a husband with dementia and a wife struggling through cancer treatments, would finally be able to restore their home. We were happy to be clearing bricks and other debris out of a construction site because we knew that meant the family living in a trailer in their front yard might be able to be in their new home by Christmas. And most importantly, we knew that through our actions, we were helping carry God’s good works on to completion. 

The night before we left Texas, we were asked how our walk onward with Christ will look upon our return to our everyday lives. Many of the high schoolers expressed sentiments similar to my own, acknowledging how easy it is to serve God and walk onward with him while surrounded with like-minded Christians and how difficult it can be to stay up to speed in a journey onward with Christ when you’re not. There was a fear that, when everything returned to normal, service would no longer be fun and exciting and that worshiping and walking with God may seem more like a chore than a gift.However, it is important to remember that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” 

Prayer:  We know you began a good work in each of us. Help us have the courage to press on in our contribution to your goodness despite our worries and reservations. Because we are so blessed, we know we must be a blessing to others and walk unashamedly onward with you through life. Amen.   

Submitted by Tinsley Moise