While it may be true that even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while, there are some things in life that just do not happen by accident. For example, no one receives a Ph.D. by accident, no one wins a marathon by accident, and doctors never become skilled surgeons by accident. These things require years of dedication, focus, and hard work. In order to accomplish one of these feats or something similar, people must pursue their goals for years on end; dreams like these don’t happen without steadfast purpose. It’s also true that no one just happens to be faithful to the Lord by accident. If a Christian is going to remain faithful to the Lord throughout years and decades of life, he or she will never do it by accident. In order to receive the crown of life, we must run the race of faith with a steadfast and unwavering purpose. This was exactly the message with which Barnabas encouraged some new disciples at a fledgling church in the city of Antioch. Luke tells us about this event in Acts 11. 

“Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord” (Acts 11:19-24).

My encouragement and charge to you this week is the same as Barnabas’ was to these Christians: remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose! You have started the race of faith. You are running well. But remember that it is not just how you begin but how you finish that matters. So let the dying love of your Lord on the cross encourage you. Let your memory of the hopelessness of life without Christ point the way to your gracious Savior. Let the knowledge that God is with you every step of the way fuel you. Let the church around you motivate you. Let the prize ahead of you spur you on. Let all the promises of God and all the history of his faithfulness to his people produce in you a steadfast, unwavering purpose to continue with the Lord and to walk in the light of his mercy and grace. Turn to the Lord for his strength and continue in the faith with steadfast purpose!