Today is…

a terrific day to decide how we will earn our White Stone.

“I will also give him a white stone with a new name on it, known only to him who receives it.”  Revelation 2:17c NIV

When John was exiled to the Island of Patmos, he had a vision of the glorified Christ. In that vision, Jesus said that we are to listen to what is being foretold to the Seven Churches. Jesus said the faithful will receive the rewards they have been promised. Each person who is victorious will receive a “white stone.”

In ancient times, athletes who were victorious were given a white stone which was their admission to the winner’s circle for the celebrations after the last race was run.

When the end comes, we want to be able to say, like Paul said to Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7 NIV).

How will we run our race?

How will we earn our admission to God’s “winner’s circle”?

How will we live our lives that will justify the placing of a White Stone in our hands?

It is not enough to sit and observe as life passes by. God provides us with ample opportunities on a daily basis to become engaged in the art of living on earth as a child of God.

Perhaps we think that we have no talent or gifts that can significantly change another person or help them to find their way through the “mine fields” of sin. Maybe we have very little money to offer as a way of contributing to the betterment of another human being’s existence on earth.

Money is not the most important way to serve.

We must all, somehow, become willing, active participants in the lives that surround us.  If we have nothing at all, we still have ourselves, and if we have ourselves, we have all we need to do our part to change the world around us. If we all do one good thing every day of our lives, think of the impact we can have.

To run a good race, and to earn a “White Stone,” God wants to see us engaged in improving the lives around us.

So decide today what you will do, focus on the prize, finish the race, and receive your “White Stone.”

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Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson