Don't Quit!

I pulled this blog from the archives. It’s a message I need for this rainy Friday morning. 

Perhaps you do, as well?

HUPOMONE  -- I just get a kick out of saying that word - (hoop·om·on·ay). Go ahead, say it again! Hupomone!  Have I taken leave of my senses, or am I writing in tongues, a new gift? you think? Actually, you just said a word of Greek from the New Testament. It's a compound word of a prefix meaning 'under' and a root meaning 'remain.'   Here's the context... "since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance (hupomone) the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, NKJV)

The writer of Hebrews calls for us to take a look at the distance runner as an example of how to live as a Christian. Unlike a sprinter who explodes from the starting block, pouring everything he has into a 100 meter dash, we are called to set a pace that we can maintain, steadily and consistently, living for Jesus- with patience, with endurance, (hupomone)! The idea is holding steady even under intense pressure!

All around us we can find examples of people who start something with gusto- only to collapse in the backstretch!
Marriages begin with great romance and fireworks, but too often, fizzle under the strain of kids and bills.

People head into new jobs with the intent of being the 'next best' only to become a place holder, a burnt out functionary, instead of an inspiring performer.

Students go off to college intending to make the Dean's list and too easily get sidetracked into the three day weekend party life style.

And.... yes, people invite Jesus Christ to become Lord and begin the disciple’s journey with enthusiasm (interesting word, by the way, that comes from a compound word meaning to be “full of God”). When a group of new Christians gather in church they discover God's will and purpose. With joy they make changes that the Spirit leads and their lives take on the character of Christ Jesus. When they pray, it is with childlike simplicity and earnest faith.

Then, sadly, under the heat of temptation and pressure the joy evaporates. Worship slacks, they criticize the Church, they adopt a 'form of godliness that denies the real Power.' Their Christianity becomes more of a habit than a source of joyful life. And, all too often, they drop out of the race, giving up, quitting.  Note this, just because you are in a difficult time, just because you are having a rough time in life, do not make the conclusion that something is wrong with you, with your faith, or with God.  Christians live in a world of sin – and they face temptation, resistance from demonic foes, and even hatred from those who despise the things of God. 

Hupomone is not about a BIG start, it's about a faithful finish!

Are you a finisher?

Do you take time to think about commitments, praying for guidance - and only embrace those that you will see through to completion?

Jesus told a teaching story about this.

"Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: `He started something he couldn't finish.' Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can't, won't he send an emissary and work out a truce?" (Luke 14:28-32, The Message) The implied conclusion is - FINISH what you start! That means - hupomone!

Remember that it isn't "all guts, no glory." Finishers enjoy what mere starters never find: the satisfaction of a job well done, a life well lived, a victor's crown!

Need a boost to stay in the race today? Here's the way, the follow up to where we started today- "Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed-that exhilarating finish in and with God -he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God."  (Hebrews 12:2, The Message)

HUPOMONE! (hoop·om·on·ay) Say through the day. If someone thinks you a bit goofy, just tell'em you're practicing a little Biblical Greek language! Have fun.

___________

Ever Be  (Natalie Grant sings at this link)

Your love is devoted like a ring of solid gold

Like a vow that is tested like a covenant of old

Your love is enduring through the winter rain

And beyond the horizon with mercy for today

Faithful You have been and faithful You will be

You pledge Yourself to me and it’s why I sing

Your praise will ever be on my lips

Ever be on my lips

Your praise will ever be on my lips

Ever be on my lips

You Father the orphan

Your kindness makes us whole

You shoulder our weakness

And Your strength becomes our own

You’re making me like You

Clothing me in white

Bringing beauty from ashes

For You will have Your bride

Free of all her guilt and rid of all her shame

And known by her true name and it’s why I sing

You will be praised You will be praised

With angels and saints we sing worthy are You Lord

You will be praised You will be praised

With angels and saints we sing worthy are You Lord

Bobby Strand | Chris Greely | Gabriel Wilson | Kalley Heiligenthal

© 2014 Bethel Music Publishing

CCLI License # 810055

Worried to death

Do you ever worry?  Of course you do. We all do. Anxiety is the common cold of American mental health.  The constant stream of negative news creates a sense of doom for far too many. To hear some talk one would think that these United States have never had a political climate like we do at this time. We have (and worse!) and the nation survived. Some of us can remember Nixon and the Watergate crisis that ended his presidency.  Some would think that race issues, which are serious, are something new. They aren’t!  Anybody recall the 1960’s and the civil rights struggles?  The problems we face – socially, politically, spiritually – are real but we need perspective to keep ourselves from descending into crippling anxiety.

Some of our anxiety, perhaps most, comes from the frenetic pace of life in which so many of us are caught. The competing demands of job, family, and church; combined with high expectations we put on ourselves, mixed in with the constant stimulation of our ‘wired’ lifestyles - keeps the motor racing and we get worn out. Throw in an experience of helplessness, an encounter with illness, a death of a friend or family member, the loss of a job – and you have all the ingredients for a real crisis!

In spite of being invited into the ‘peace of God’ Jesus’ followers can experience anxiety because we live in the same world and deal with the same issues as everyone else! A terrible choice, made by too many well meaning Christians is the one in which they 'bury' their feelings underneath the words of faith, believing that if they face up to the reality of their emotions they are somehow sinning against God. Do not think you lack faith if you're experiencing elevated levels of anxiety?

The better choices are to admit if we are worrying ourselves to death and to take steps towards the wholeness that we can find in faith.  What can we do with our worries?

Know your limits. Most of us cannot exist for any length of time on 4 hours of sleep, so turn off the TV or PC, put the phone away, take a hot shower, and go to bed! Fatigue is fuel for anxious thoughts.

Finish something.  A dozen unfinished projects create tension.  Focus on one, sticking with it until it’s done.  Then, enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that follows.

Accept imperfection. I don’t mean compromise with sin or do shoddy work but accept the fact that nobody gets everything they want every day. People will disappoint us. Illness will come our way. Plans will go awry. There is a ton of peace in letting go of the need to ‘fix it.’

PRAY! Yes, actively engage yourself with God's Presence. Speak honestly with the Lord about the state of your heart. If you're afraid, tell Him. If you're feeling hopeless, tell Him. Remember to include praise and worship in your prayer time. It is tragic that too many of us use prayer only as a kind of 'shopping' list. Set aside time to simply be with God-- perhaps in silence, perhaps in song, or maybe with your favorite worship CD playing.  urges us to get active in dealing with our anxiety! The Spirit invites us to peace. "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

GATHER! Anxiety amplifies in the echo chamber of isolation. So, we need to join with other Christians, family, and friends. God never intended for us to 'go it alone.' That foolishness about standing tall and self-sufficient is an American romantic idea far removed from real life! We need each other. Talk with others. Worship with others. Help your friends by allowing discussions go beyond superficial jokes and laughter. Do not be afraid if emotions bubble to the surface. Galatians 6:2  (NLT) teaches us that we must "Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ."   Paul tells us that "When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow. Live in harmony with each other.  Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary  people. And don't think you know it all!" Romans 12:15-16 NLT

GET SPIRITUAL, look up! We can lower our eyes until even the molehill in front of us looks like a mountain. Jesus teaches us to shift perspective. When things pile up, look higher, He says.  Take time to savor the truth here.  Pause to prayerfully process it.  Discover new peace for today. "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? … So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans  (people who do not know God) run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:25-33, NIV)

Let’s not just accept that anxiety is unavoidable. Let’s not deny the reality of it when it visits. Instead, be proactive and find the peace of God.

Here’s the word from the Word.  "Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)

_______________

What a fellowship what a joy divine
Leaning on the everlasting arms
What a blessedness what a peace is mine
Leaning on the everlasting arms

What have I to dread what have I to fear
Leaning on the everlasting arms
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near
Leaning on the everlasting arms

Leaning (leaning on Jesus)
Leaning (leaning on Jesus)
Safe and secure from all alarms
Leaning (leaning on Jesus)
Leaning (leaning on Jesus)
Leaning on the everlasting arms

Anthony Johnson Showalter | Elisha Albright Hoffman

© Words: Public Domain

The story you choose

My temperament is that of a melancholy, tending to sadness, often living at arm’s length from the world around me. One of the worst eras of my life included a bout of depression in my middle 40’s that was as painful as any physical ailment. But, I do not choose to live in the dark. We do not get to choose all the circumstances in our life but we are privileged to choose the way we see our story.  When I read of the tragic end of the Chris Cornell, of Soundgarden fame, who took his own life last week after a life-long struggle with depression, I was profoundly thankful for the message I have believed, one that has preserved my life with hope through it all.

The profound proclamation, so familiar, yet radical in all the implications that come from it, is this: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17, NIV) We are not abandoned, we are not alone; we are loved. This is the word we are invited to accept, to believe, to live. The cruelty of the world, the seemingly meaningless violence like that of a hate-filled young man in Manchester, England who blew himself to Hell and ended the earthly journey of 22 more people, the banality of pain and suffering that sometimes overtakes us would argue against the declaration of God’s love.  Yet, I choose to believe!

The Sovereign God could end our freedom, suspend our will, and banish evil but could we then know real love? We would be robots, pre-programmed. Ever seen one of those cute dolls that has recorded phrases of affection stored in memory? When you press a button, the doll ‘speaks’ but the words are really without meaning for it has no freedom to choose the sentiment.  God created us, gave us this world, and set us free – to love, to hate, to build, to destroy.  Seeing the mess that humanity was making of it all, He came to the world, Love Incarnate, and showed us the depth of His love by enduring terrible pain on our behalf.  And, then He invited us to join Him in the struggle against evil, even while assuring us that we are His, beloved by covenant. That’s my story!

Like the ancient sufferer, Job, I say "God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him. But this is what will save me—I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him." (Job 13:15-16, NLT)  Hard words? Perhaps, but honest.  To turn from God, to become my own deity, is to become hopeless, a life without meaning other than whatever passing pleasure I might find.  So, I see beauty in Creation, experience the love of friend and brother, open my heart in worship – and the Spirit whispers – “you are His own, the child of your Abba!”

What story do you choose to live  - the godless one or the God-centered one? 

Do you rage against the evil and pain that is real, like one who helplessly screams at the hurricane’s winds;

or do you offer worship from a humble and faithful heart for the love He has proffered in His Son?

Sometimes my faith is battered, my hope tattered, my life to all appearance shattered – and yet I trust Him for in Him there is life.

This is the word from the Word. Grab onto it. Write in your mind, engrave it in your heart.

"With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us.

Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." (Romans 8:31-39, The Message)

__________

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep my faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters

Your sov'reign hand will be my guide

Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me

You've never failed and You won't start now

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your name

Keep my eyes above the waves

My soul will rest in Your embrace

I am Yours and You are mine

Joel Houston | Matt Crocker | Salomon Ligthelm

© 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055