An Unforgettable Christmas

This Christmas morning Santa was upstaged by Derrick Elkins declaring himself a Christ-follower by being baptized. Christmas only falls on Sunday every six years but Derrick made the most of it. He shared how he had trusted Christ, but hadn't done much to pursue his relationship with Christ -- until he was part of our Katrina relief team. One Bible study in particular spoke to him. It was from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 --

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

He realized the prize of knowing Christ was worth a whole-hearted pursuit. Derrick, Merry Christmas! Follow hard after Christ!