Alonso lost his wife to cancer a few months ago. It was a devastating experience – one that led him to the bottle, a lost career, and a stint in the Veterans Hospital. I met him just before Christmas when he showed up for a discipleship study at the Greenhouse.
Alonso was derailed but not defeated. Although he momenatrily lost grip, he remembered to keep his eyes on Jesus. God never took His eyes off Alonso. By placing his hope in God’s undying love, Alonso is making a strong comeback.
Discipleship is a journey – one that must involve perseverance. Perseverance, however, is not about “sucking it up” and going forward in our own strength!
“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Stay the course, Mike
Hebrews 12 uses the imagery of a long-distance race to raise this point about perseverance:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Above everything else, we must keep our eyes on Jesus. He started our run and he persevered, too. He understands what we are going through since he has already faced it and won the victory. In him we can, too!
One of my all-time most meditative quotes:
“I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are very wise and very beautiful; but I never read in either of them: ‘Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden.'” – Augustine
Because that’s a beautiful truth worth remembering.
You don’t have to go out looking to do a great thing for God. Ministry is all around us. I am convinced that if we are yielded to Him, our eyes will be open to needs that come our way often, if not daily. A touch of God’s love through you is just what someone is waiting for. God, let our eyes be open to share your love, to give that touch, listen, be patient and know that You will do the work if we are a willing vessel.
James 2:1 “Consider it pure joy…”
Romans 5:3-5 “…glory in tribulations…producing perseverance, character and hope.”
And then my favorite of all scripts is II Corin. 4:17
“Our light and momentary trials” (that don’t seem light nor momentary)”are achieving for us an eternal glory that surpasses them all.”
So we can rejoice in the bad stuff for in that “stuff” God works to grow us to Him…if we let Him. It’s our choice how we let these situations affect us. Do we give up and crawl in a whole and quit or do we (with His strength) get up and do something about it? Maybe we need to reach out for help in doing this, but that’s why ministries are out there to help those needing a little help. It’s a work we can do to help God’s children find their way-however many attempts it takes.
😉
I hadn’t checked the box in a few days. Linda, your heart is as pure as gold. You’ve blessed me with many touching insights over the years. Milton, I’d never seen the quote you shared. Excellent; thanks for taking time to include that. Suzanne, you’re reliance on scripture is such a good example to all of us. Thank you all for commenting!