Endurance

I peeked my head between the trees, both elated to see a trail of real pavement, yet distraught that my never-ending 30-minute journey was seemingly turning into a “three hour tour.”  Hangry, frustrated, hot and tired, I wanted to lay in a patch of lukewarm grass and wait for the birds to devour my carcass.  As soon as I contemplated giving up on my hike (that was supposed to be a stress reliever), a sprightly gentleman in his eighties came zooming past me. Literally.

I watched in shock and awe as this man who could be my grandfather ran with ease and verbally encouraged himself as he ran.  I then stood in dismay at myself, a thirty-year-old who was ready to give up on WALKING in the hot sun.  But, by the time I found the end of the trail and was heading home, (and saw the elderly runner turning around to run back the other way), I learned a lesson in endurance.

Lately, I have felt like if it isn’t one thing, it’s something else.  If it isn’t stress on the job, then my family is being attacked.  If it’s not my family, then someone has stolen my credit card number...AGAIN.  If it isn’t identity theft, then something detrimental happens in the body of Christ.  Sometimes I just want a break.  And some normalcy.

But despite my misgivings, I remind myself that if I don’t move forward, I will never go anywhere.  Even though some days are quite challenging (some more than others), I am convinced that I must make forward strides, whether small, medium or large; whether in pain, distress, weakness, or anguish.  I have to encourage myself and keep pushing because eventually, I will reach the light at the end of the tunnel.

My favorite scripture has always been Philippians 3:13&14

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Despite my feelings, situations, or circumstances I cannot allow myself to be stopped from moving forward.  I must make steps to reach the goal God has called me to.

Lesson Learned: If you don’t move forward, you’ll end up going nowhere.