Many people have started out serving the Lord only to find themselves falling by the wayside. We must remember that the race is not given to the swift, but to the one who endures to the end. This is a long and tedious journey, and one must finish what they start. There will be roadblocks and setbacks along the way, but one must have the endurance to continue to serve the Lord. Serve Him when things are well and when things are not well. Do not give up, but have a heart and mind that are committed to go all the way. I am in my 35th year serving as pastor. I have had some ups and downs, but I made a decision to go all the way to continue serving the Lord with my heart, soul, mind, and with passion, enthusiasm, and zeal. I have come to discover the price of service. In Colossians 2:6, we find these words:

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.”

The writer explains that this new life in Christ is one in which we must commit to follow Him. The people have now accepted Christ in their lives and their faith in Him will grow stronger. They have been given a new life and they must continue to serve the Lord. It is my prayer today for every reader who has accepted Christ that we will all continue to serve the Lord. Should anyone find that we have strayed away for any reason, I pray that we each take a moment to think of His goodness. Then maybe someone will make a decision to give his or her life back to Christ and continue to serve the Lord.