“I’m not happy. I’m over it, done, gone!” I understand that but is being unhappy reason enough to quit… a job, a marriage, a relationship, a church? Some marriages end, not because of abuse or adultery, because two people will not grow with each other, letting love die. The story of Joe and Sally Christian walking away from a church when they become bored or discontented is one told often. I remember a young woman’s words about her own spiritual wandering - “It started when my parent’s pulled me out of the church where I had a spiritual home just because they were unhappy. I lost my roots, my anchor, and then my way.”
Facebook ‘wisdom’ frequently advocates self-love and happiness
as prime shapers of personal choice.
Disappointed in a friend? Walk away.
Offended by a comment? Cancel the person.
Just not ‘feeling it’ these days? Find a new toy or diversion.
The Spirit of God asks you and me to be different and one of the traits desired of us is this – PERSEVERANCE.
It’s a word we do not use much these days.
Those who persevere stick with life, work on challenges, take positive action. Please
do not understand this to mean that we become passive, simply giving up and
letting life happen to us. In the Scripture there are several synonyms for this
word: patience, endurance, and longsuffering.
James tells us "As an example of patience in the face of
suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know,
we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s
perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is
full of compassion and mercy." (James 5:10-11, NIV)
Jesus said, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then
looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62, NLT) Serious
words, aren’t they? The rewards of the
Christian life do not always show up immediately. In fact, they seldom do. It’s
al long game, illustrated in this way. "Dear brothers and sisters, you must be patient as you wait for the Lord’s
return. Consider the farmers who eagerly look for the rains in the fall and in
the spring. They patiently wait for the precious harvest to ripen." (James 5:7, NLT)
The kingdom of God needs people who show up even when they
don’t feel like it, who do what they’re called and equipped to do even when
they’re bored or tired. We need steady men and women who are willing to say: “I
know that God has called me. My feelings are secondary to my commitment. I’ll
serve, I’ll stay, I’ll love – so help me God!”
Those disciples become effective
in God’s work doing what they are equipped to do, what they find before them,
quietly and often without recognition. They care little for the praise of
others because they have learned the secret of serving with perseverance,
focused on God’s desire more than their own. That paragraph reads like heresy
to the average ‘happy hungry’ American who can’t imagine doing anything hard
for any length of time.
Here’s some of the best encouragement you will ever
get on the subject of commitment and endurance. "Since we are
surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip
off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us
up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We
do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and
perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross,
disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s
throne." (Hebrews 12:1-2, NLT)
Are you considering quitting on life?
Are you prepared to abandon a friend?
Are you tired of trying to love that teenager who challenges
you every single day?
Are you thinking about laying down your place of service
because you are tired?
Are you considering becoming a ‘private’ Christian, walking
away from the Church?
Pray about it! Tell God how you feel. Your
emotions are real, so don’t deny them. Then, listen carefully for the Spirit’s
counsel. “Run with endurance!” And
remember this glorious promise for the weary, the battered, the bruised who
remain faithful to the Lord, our word from the Word:
“These are they who have come out of the great
tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of
the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and
night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over
them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will
not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the
throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:14-17,
NIV)
Yes, my friend, one day the struggle will end and joy
eternal will come, with rich reward for the faithful. Onward we go!
(Video of this blog at this link)
____________________
Am I a soldier of the cross
A follower of the Lamb
And shall I fear to own His cause
Or blush to speak His name
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease
While others fought to win the prize
And sailed thro' bloody seas
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign
Increase my courage Lord
I'll bear the toil endure the pain
Supported by Thy Word
And when the battle's over
We shall wear a crown
Yes we shall wear a crown
Yes we shall wear a crown
And when the battle's over
We shall wear a crown
In the new Jerusalem
Wear a crown wear a crown
Wear a bright and shining crown
And when the battle's over
We shall wear a crown
In the new Jerusalem
Isaac Watts Public Domain
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