November 6, 2018 (continued)
While there are analogies in this story that might not fit as well as into what I’m getting ready to tell you, overall, I think it can be used to say this:
While we may not know how long the journey is, we do know that there is an end. I’m not necessarily referring to an end as far as death or the rapture either. I’m just talking about phases of life and what we experience. As I’ve said before, God has me in a period of waiting. I have no idea how much longer I will have to keep waiting. I’ve had spiritual obstacles along the way, and some days I feel like my faith is stronger than on other days. Some days I’m floating and feel like I can keep going, some days I feel like I’m drowning, and other days I feel like I’m swimming towards the finish line. I can’t give up even though I can’t see where the end is; but, I can pray along the way, focus on the bigger picture in life, be on the lookout for large obstacles and try (pray) to avoid focusing on what might be going on around me that makes me anxious.
We need to keep the faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV): “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
We need to be courageous. Joshua 1:9 (ESV): “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
We need to be hopeful. Romans 8:24-25 (ESV): “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
We need to keep standing, keep fighting, even after we have done all that we think we can. Ephesians 6:13 (ESV): “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
This verse tells the same thing. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV): “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
Because, we should never forget… Matthew 19:26 (NIV) “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Psalm 27:14 (ESV): “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
We do so in order that when we meet God we can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 (ESV).
There’s a good song that fits today’s blog post by Unspoken called, “Good Fight.”
God Bless my friends and thanks for hanging in for this long post,
Penelope G.