Read a Sample
The foreword and two daily devotionals from Second Wind by Christian Collins.
Foreword by Rev. Rafael Cruz
I met Christian Collins in April of 2015, as we were starting the presidential campaign of my son, Senator Ted Cruz. Christian and I traveled all over the United States doing pastors conferences and speaking at many churches, all of which were scheduled and coordinated by Christian. He has the endurance of a long-distance runner, and the title of this book applies very well to his life. Not only did he participate with me in at least three meetings a day, six days a week for a year and a half, but he also drove me from place to place.… And on our “rest day,” Christian would write a report of the results of the week and spend countless hours on the phone making sure that our schedule for the following week was all in place.
After the presidential campaign was over, I was able to reflect on my relationship with Christian and suddenly realized what a great testimony of Christ-like character Christian had been all that time. We began spending time together in person and over the phone, primarily in prayer and sharing the riches of the Word of God. His servant-leadership began to open doors for him, and he became the campaign manager for Congressman Kevin Brady, doing an outstanding job and putting together and incredible campaign team. Almost immediately, he began organizing a pastor’s coalition and having multiple prayer breakfasts, at most of which I had the privilege to speak, along with Christian and Congressman Brady.
Christian’s commitment to the Lord, and his impeccable integrity has not been unnoticed by different candidates that are seeking his wise counseling. He is widely respected by pastors and those who are familiar with what he has accomplished. But, most of all, what defines Christian is his commitment to the Lord and his desire to be at the center of His will. This is the primary subject of every conversation and every prayer that we have together. I consider Christian one of my closest friends and prayer partner.
As I read through the pages of “Second Wind,” I see a young man in intimate communion with his Lord seeking a glimpse of His glory and His wisdom while, at the same time, trying to make sense of the ups and downs of our daily life. Ups and downs which can easily distract or even derail our walk with the Lord. I am certain that the reader can identify with many of the situations that Christian describes in this magnificent devotional and like him, find the path back to a close relationship with his/her Lord and be able to experience the abundant life that is only found in Him.
I encourage the reader to start the day with this devotional, along with your Bible, and allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate your path so you may be able to walk in the fulness of His glory.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. — Psalms 119:105
Rev. Rafael Cruz
Grace for America
Daily Devotionals
January 1: Finding Satisfaction
God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.
—John Piper
What satisfies you? Perhaps it’s a home-cooked meal after a long day of work or the warmth of a child or spouse who greets you after you’ve been away on a trip. Maybe it’s a retirement account after you begin to see a return on your investments. These are all things we hope to enjoy if we aren’t enjoying them already, and yet none of them would matter if we were dying of dehydration. If we were that thirsty, we would do whatever we could to find water to quench our thirst. King David said, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God” (Ps. 42:1). Though David knew the temporary pleasures of wealth, power, and fame—none of which were inherently bad to enjoy—they were the poorest of substitutes for the rich supremacy of a God who is eternally good. May we, too, make it our chief desire to bring God glory by finding our true satisfaction in Christ.
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days (Ps. 90:14 ESV).
January 2: God’s Favor and Discipline
We often learn more of God under the rod that strikes us than under the staff that comforts us.
—Stephen Charnock
More than once, King David veered off the straight and narrow in his life, and God disciplined him for it. But David said, “For his anger lasts only a moment, and his favor lasts a lifetime” (Ps. 30:5). In other words, David realized it would be much worse had God left him to his vices, but it was because God favored David that He disciplined him. God chooses to discipline the people He has a purpose for. Though David was not without sin, he had a general pattern of repenting of his sin to continue being obedient to God, thus living in such a way as to bring God glory. It’s no wonder God called him “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22). May we, too, be people who recognize the favor of God in our lives through His discipline so when He does choose to discipline us, we will immediately correct our course, repent, and have a general pattern of living obediently to Him in order to bring Him glory.
For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child (Heb. 12:6 NLT).