Turning Points

Turning Points

Today reflect for a moment on the turning points, or stepping stones, in your Christian life that has brought you from birth to this moment. These may be fairly few in number, five to eight, probably not more than twelve. Examples maybe – I was born, I faced an illness, a friend nurtured me, etc. List your turning points with a sentence or phrase saying what each turning point represents to you.

The exciting thing is, you do not have to wait for a turning point! We should not sit around hoping for a change, a break, a winning lottery ticket, for something to happen. We really have it in our power to turn that corner, to make the change, to start things going in a different direction. We should never think we are too old to make a change that it is too late to begin again. We do not have to go along with unhappy conditions nor accept ill-health as our lot. The turning point comes first of all, “in us” not in some outer circumstances. Base this Christ confidence on Philippians 4:13, “l can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Winston Churchill went back to his old public school when he was old and famous, to give the graduation address. All the names were called. Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance” was no doubt murdered by the high school band. Sir Winston rose to give his speech about what he had learned in eighty years of public service. He cleared his throat and gave the shortest commencement address on record. He said, “Never give up! Never give up! I say, Never give up!”

Let us pray: God of love, we thank you for turning points that enable us to move ahead and become more like Jesus. Fill us with hope and joy that we may never give up. Bless us so we may be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Message Author: Roger Kunkel

(November 24, 1934 – June 29, 2011) Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel was a native of Parsons, Kansas, graduated from Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri, where he received an award for “Outstanding Student and Citizen”. After graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary, he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois, and went on to serve as Senior Pastor in Duluth, Minnesota, and Riverside, Illinois. He served as Chaplain of Heritage Park Rehab Center in Bradenton, Florida, after retiring from his pastorate at First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota in 1998. Full Bio

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