A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Make Every Effort"

I am somewhat of a trivia buff. Recently I was reading "The Book of Totally Useless Information" and I came across an intriguing piece of information that got my mind a whirling. I learned that there is a deep indentation in the bottom of champagne bottles. Being a tea-totaler myself and a strong advocate of total abstinence regarding alcoholic beverages, this was news to me. The intriguing part, what caught my attention, was the reasons for the indentation. Let me share the reasons with you so that you will get the point of this devotional.

There are three reasons for the indentation. The first relates to ease in pouring the beverage. It was found that the recessed cavity made it easier for people to pour the beverage, especially if they have small hands. It also allows someone to hold the bottle with their fingers, thereby not warming the chilled drink with your hands. The second has to do with the fermentation process. Champagne is fermented and aged in the bottle laid on its side. The top of one bottle is inserted into the punt of the another, allowing more bottles to be stored per bin. The final reason is about structural integrity. Champagne is under pressure. The indentation in the bottle makes the bottle stronger so it can hold the pressurized drink safely.

Why does such information get my mind whirling? I am amazed at the effort and care given to every detail in creating an intoxicating beverage. You can almost hear the wine masters forcefully informing all the workers, "we must make every effort to make the very best champagne!" My mind quickly moves to other things to which people give their every effort. Make every effort to be the best athlete, to achieve your goals, to climb the ladder of success, to have the job you want, to reach that level of income, to be the best musician, to get the highest grades, to..... Is it not amazing, even appalling, the amount of effort and detailed care we put into things that are temporal. Don't miss understand. We should not give ourselves fully to a task. All that we do is to be to the glory of God and therefore deserves our best. But the key is in "every effort." Just what should we Christians give our every effort to?

"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door (God's way, the holy way)." [Luke 13:24] "Make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." [Romans 14:19] "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond pf peace." [Ephesians 4:3] "...Make every effort to enter that rest (God's rest that remains for His people)." Hebrews 4:11 "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no man shall see the Lord." [Hebrews 12:14] "Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." [2 Peter 1:5] "Make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with the Lord." [2 Peter 3:14]

Scripture makes it clear as to what our every effort should be devoted to. Beloved, maybe it's time for some self-examination. To what are we giving our every effort?

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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