When you know that you’re where God wants you to be, doing what He asks of you, keep your head up and keep going!
Once upon a time when I didn’t know enough about God and how he handcrafts our hearts, I would despise the character that now defines my life and ministry. The discipline to keep going results from your desire to live out God's purpose. Run the race with endurance (Hebrews 12:1), the race is not or the swift (Ecclesiastes 9:11) and I did not run in vain or toil in vain (Philippians 2:16), are reminders of the strenuous nature of our journey here on earth.
When we desire to walk after God, it’s about His way. When you feel that you’ve gotten to the end of the rope, God steps in and reminds us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He reminds us that distractions, dissonance, and discontent can lure us away from His path but that gratitude and reliance on Jesus give us the strength to keep going.
I meditated on two scriptures this week that were a blessing: Luke 9: 23 and 1 Corinthians 15:58.
If you have the YouVersion Bible App, I'm sure you came across them as well.
The first message in Luke to take up my cross daily and follow him was an easy enough reminder because of the preceding words: “If any man desires to follow me”. If you, like me, desire God and desire to follow Him, some days will have that weary Dolorosa feel, as you obediently trudge along the God-ordained path.
Nonetheless, keep going, keep trudging, keep loving, keep sacrificing and keep giving. The cross we are called to bear is ours but God through Jesus already gave the provision to bear any cross and endure any challenge. Rest assured in the victory He has already declared in your favour! Imagine we started a race, knowing that we’ve already won. Hallelujah!!!!
The second scripture in 1 Corinthians 15:58 reminded me that every act of love and every forgiven offense will not be useless. The exact words are “Nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless”. I sometimes grind my teeth in frustration when my effort is unappreciated. However, we must lean into the encouragement of Paul to be "strong" and "immovable", because he knew that piercing tornado-speed words and the enticement of self-satiation could cause us to be weak and moveable. Hold your tongue, keep your calm, and do exactly what you know you must, because absolutely nothing is wasted with God; just as He promised in Romans 8:28.
Somebody needs what you have, so Lord, help us to keep going.
Even when ingratitude and entitlement are the responses to our love and selflessness, Lord, help us to keep going.
The alternative is to give up and the ease that we imagined stagnancy will bring will be short-lived. It's better to walk in the struggle of your purpose than the manufactured peace of the world. The chains you bear could mean liberty for others.
And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. (Philippians 1:12-14)
The Apostle Paul often praised his chains as he witnessed firsthand that not even physical chains could imprison what God ordained to be released.
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isasih 52:7
May God bless your hands, feet, and heart to keep going!
Love Ya!
Krystal Baynes-Hoseinee
SUBSCRIBE to receive notifications of new posts.
FOLLOW me on:
Facebook www.facebook.com/imaniinspirational &
Instagram www.instagram.com/imani_blog2020
My devotional, "My Favourite Scriptures" can be ordered here on the site under the 'Devotional' tab and also on Amazon.
Comentarios