God's Good Work will Continue

“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” Philippians 1:6 NKJV

In an inspiring story aired by KWQC6, it was reported that when the first Bix 7 (an iconic 7-mile race through downtown Davenport, Iowa) launched in 1975, only 84 runners crossed the starting line. Ed Lillis was one of them — and more than 50 years later, he is still coming back.

Lillis, now 80, is one of only four runners from that original field who competed in all 50 years of the race.

“I was one of the 84 that came and ran that one, just like a lot of other ones,” Lillis said. “But then only four of us stuck with it for 50 years. And so two years ago, the 50th took place, and that was a lot of fun. But I think we’ve all gone through our share of medical trials and tribulations.”

Hip surgeries haven’t stopped him. Despite hip surgeries, Lillis has continued to participate in the race each year.

“There’s been some challenges, you know, that are just outside of your control,” he said. “But it’s always been a great excuse to try and stay in some degree of shape, just in case you can do it when the time comes.”

This year, Lillis will run the two-mile race.

Pretty amazing right?

And, you know, in the same way that Lillis continues to “participate in the race each year,” God continues to do “a good work” in every believer that will not be complete “until the day of Jesus Christ.”

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

What does this mean? Well…. It means that God began the initial work of bringing us to faith at the time of our salvation. At that time, we were made alive in Christ—regenerated and made new. Then, through an ongoing, lifelong process called sanctification, God finishes, perfects, and completes His work in us—using our challenges, trials, and tribulations to grow us and to transform us into the image of His Son. 

And, since this is entirely God's doing and not a result of human effort, we don't have to worry that age will stop the process. 

So, seek the Lord with your whole heart each and every day my friend knowing that strict spiritual training will keep you growing and running the race until you reach that final finish line. And that is the place where God's "good work in you" will finally be complete. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for continuing the sanctification process in us so that we will continually grow in our faith and look more like Jesus. Help us to understand that this series of steps will involve challenges that You will use to grow our faith in a way that will make us more like Jesus. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 
Happy Running!