Graduation [ Philippians 3 v12-14]

I was at the graduation of my daughter-in-law yesterday, at Southampton university,it was lovely to see all those young people, graduating. I thought about the cost of it all, the hard work, the financial cost, the discipline involved, but the joy that comes with having accomplished, that given task. If we are to be the Christians we should be ,it will mean hard work, it will cost ,it will mean discipline. Being a Christian presents to us all the greatest challenge in life,we will have to continually study Gods word, and,pray, we will have to live not with rules and regulation , but under the law of love, and to keep our eyes on the goal, not looking back, always seeking to go forward and upward, for the heavenly prize, heaven and home. We are not saying we are saved by our efforts, but rather simply that the Christian life involves effort, and a focus on our goal.[ Dear Lord help us to stay focused on the challenge of being a Christian, help us give ourselves fully to You, each day, help us to graduate with honours, for Your glory, Amen ]