April 28, 2009

“There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.” Philippians 1:6 The Message

Walter’s Open Secret…?

It was a secret … an open secret … the kind of secret you give away. It is the kind of secret that holds your life through good times .. bad times .. anxious times .. peaceful times .. dry times .. well-nourished times. It is the kind of secret that is truly life-changing in your day to day life in Christ. You are still “You”  … with all your quirks .. your personality .. and your life prejudices. But … something is vastly different. Your life is no longer your own. God has begun a “good work” in you that He will finish. He doesn’t leave you to finish in your own strength. He doesn’t abandon you. He doesn’t quit even when it hurts sometimes. He is The Finishing One. Your life becomes part of God’s big picture. You are His priority. You are His delight. You are His son and daughter. What if you lived today with the internal foundation that God has really begun a finishing work in you … in Christ? What would be different about you? Would you love your spouse differently? What kind of friend would you be? More understanding … More patient … More thankful … More filled with wonder at what God can do in someone???? My friend and brother in Christ … Walter Susong knew this secret imperfectly right up to his death on April 25th. He now knows this Finished Secret .. Perfectly! He shared it with me 25 years ago and now you know Walter’s secret. It only takes a moment for this secret to become your open secret…

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NASB

Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Flourishing Finishers following Jesus and friends of Priority One. ken@priorityone.org)