April 1, 2025
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:6-7
I am sharing the devotion with you a day early this week because I have some important news. This will be my last devotion as pastor of Mesa Christian Fellowship. I feel that it is time to move on. It has been a pleasure serving this beautiful church, but I am tired and my time for departure has come…April Fools! The truth is, I feel that God is a long way from being done with me here and I am excited for the challenges that still lay ahead!
With that being said, let me ask where you are at today? Many of us are familiar with Paul’s heartfelt goodbye to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4. It is a beautiful picture of a man who had devoted his life to God and is now being called home. But have you read the verse right before this? “But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” His encouragement to Timothy is to press on, work hard, don’t give up, do the work God has prepared for him, and stay strong in his faith. Through my almost 30 years of ministry in Pueblo, 27 years of ministry at Mesa Christian Fellowship, and almost 20 years as pastor, I have seen so many ministers come and go in our city. I have also seen so many church members come and go along the way. Unfortunately, some of those have left simply because things got hard. My question for you today is this: are you finishing the work God has prepared for you to do, pressing on toward the goal, or are you simply taking the easy way out? Doing the work of God is difficult and takes dedication. But some day you will want to stand before the Lord and declare, “I did the work, and I didn’t give up! I finished the race!” And you will want to hear from him, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Press on, my friends!
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the incredible privilege of being asked to participate in Your eternal work. Give us strength to press on even when the days get long and hard. Let us always look for Your purpose and not simply our own comfort. We want to finish the race strong!
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Shane Cannon