Strength to Endure

When the great railroad that connected California with the East Coast was completed in 1869, one of the most fascinating accomplishments was the building of some enormous bridges across major canyons. They were constructed of timbers reaching unusual heights. It’s hard to believe they could withstand the weight of the trains.

In similar ways, bridges we construct in our personal lives seem just as enormous. I read an article that addressed the physical exhaustion so many people experience these days. One mother who had a disabled child plus two other children, a job, and a husband could not adequately describe the fatigue and stress she had to endure.

Emotional and physical survival often depends on a spiritual bridge of faith. For this young mother, her faith in God made it possible for her tolerate and endure her commitments. Her attitude of faith gave her strength and courage to press on for what God had called her to do. Love for her family and God was her bridge to survival.  

Allow Your Conscience to Accuse or Excuse - Part 3

The Apostle Paul consistently encourages us to assess what we’re striving to acquire, and at what price? C. S. Lewis noted, “We’re all given to seeking after material possessions and even conversion does not at once work the infection out of our system.” What gave the Apostle Paul the will to press on toward the mark of his high calling in Jesus Christ?

The Apostle Paul’s usage of the words “press on” implies being consistently vigilant to accomplish God’s purpose with no consideration of giving up. The conscience, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, helps us choose what is good, righteous and godly and then stay focused.

Ignoring the conscience disrupts fellowship with oneself, significant others, and God the Father. The voice of conscience, permeated by the Holy Spirit, speaks to alert us when there is danger of going against the conscience’s directives. Christ Jesus instills in us his righteousness to strengthen our conscience to ensure that fellowship between us and God the Father continues. Isn’t that a wonderful thought? 

Endure: Press Upward and Onward - Part 2

People who do aerobics and other sports learn the importance of building endurance, or “no pain, no gain”. Many wonderful Christians have had to endure physical and perhaps emotional pain for years. Yet they tell you that God gives them strength to endure. It's true, we're not all created equal, and life can be more complicated for some than others.

Endurance may include pressing on toward godly goals even when failure seems eminent. One of the hard sayings of Jesus was to "take up your cross and follow me." Pressing onward could mean working through difficult problems instead of giving up or denying they exist.

Jesus would not advocate something so important without empowering you to endure. Listen to his words. "If anyone would come after me, he must take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me shall find it." Reconstructing your values demands faith and trust in the presence and power of Christ in you.  

Salt, Light, and Second-Milers - Part 3

It is not uncommon to want to measure up to the problems life presents to us.  It takes resilience and courage to tackle issues in ways that are productive and healthy. Confidence and knowledge are required to advance toward meaningful goals. Thomas Babington, the English historian, said, "Knowledge advances step by step, not by leaps."

I once talked to an aspiring musician who demonstrated unusual insight for  achieving his goal. He believed studying history, science, English, and math would enhance and hone his capacity for being a composer. Acquiring knowledge step by step demanded persistence and dedication that he was willing to expend.

The good news is, steadfastness can be acquired. Listen to David's prayer to God in Psalm 51:10. "Create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me." God rewards those who desire steadfastness and who will allow it to become a constant in their lives. Would you, like David, ask God to give you an unwavering spirit and a pure heart so you can serve him?