I have been grinding my way through Kings and Chronicles during my time with God each day. I do mean grind, this is probably my least favorite section to read through. Today was the recounting of King Asa. The kings did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight when he fist started. This was unusual. Most of the kings written about do not do what is pleasing in the Lord's sight. Asa on the other hand does. He restores religious order. He turns people back to God, and the land experiences peace. By all standards things are going well.
Asa was the first king in a long time who did what was pleasing to God. He almost was considered one of the greatest kings. What disqualified him? He, Asa, began to trust himself and foreign kings more than God. Greatness was within his grasp, but forever Asa will be an almost.
Almost is difficult place to be. You haven't necessarily been bad, but you have not really reached the full potential. When a major league hitter swings with all his might and the only sound is the thud-slap of the ball in the catchers mitt, that is an almost moment. That major league player is doing something that most people will never do, play Major League baseball. Until that player learns to out the ball in play more than it ends in the mitt, he will be an almost.
I guess I would rather never show much promise, than to be an almost. The key to not being an almost lies in perseverance. Fullness is never reached by not trying, it is though keeping at it even when it is hard. Or even more difficult, keeping at it even when you feel like you have it all under control.
How would it make you feel to hear someone say about you, they were almost a faithful, kind and loving person?
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