Almost

The Vikings almost won the Monday night football game.

The Packers almost beat the Redskins. And they almost beat the Bears a couple of weeks ago.

Almost. One small word, but so far away.

I almost got married. Twice. I almost exercised today. But didn’t. I almost started a diet. Almost read the whole book. Almost went to church. Almost accepted Christ.

But didn’t.

One of the saddest words on the face of the earth is the word “Almost”. I looked it up. The pure definition is “very nearly”.

In fact the saddest verse in the Bible to me is in Acts 26:28. The apostle Paul has just finished pouring his heart out to King Agrippa. He’s been through hell for the gospel. But it’s been worth it for him. He was blind, but his eyes were opened by the Savior. His life had changed, and he wasn’t quiet about it. Many had come to Christ because of Paul’s testimony. Many are still impacted because of His life and example. The man was not shy. The man was not quiet about what God had done in his life.

He spent his fair time in prison. But it was worth it when one day he finally got to stand up before the King, King Agrippa. The king’s curiosity was peaked. He had heard about Paul. He wanted to see for himself.

Paul told the same story he had told a million times. He told the story of his life changed. He told the story of a God so merciful He forgave all his sins. He told the story of the good news of the gospel. He told it boldly. He told it convincingly. He told it powerfully.

And King Agrippa almost believed. It says in Acts 26:28: “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘you almost persuade me to become a Christian.’”

Agrippa was moved. He was touched. He was pleased. He was almost convinced.

Almost, but not nearly.

Almost, but we won’t see him in heaven.

Almost, but just short of yes.

What are you almost believing today? What are you almost obeying, what are you almost doing, where are you almost serving, what are you almost trusting?

Almost never gets you anywhere.

Change your almost to yes.

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