Stay the Course
… “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
(Luke 9:62, NKJV)
Everyone in life has a desire that they wish to fulfill. It does not matter how successful one is, there is always a next level, another challenge to overcome and another step to take. That is the nature of our lives, we always want more than what we have and that is a good thing as it motivates us to keep pushing hard. There are things or results that we tend to get rather easily, but it is the tough to reach outcomes that we always remember. Those that are easy to reach, we take them for granted but those that present a push-back, become so memorable that for some, they become a point of reference. Regardless of what it is you wish to achieve, discipline and focus are major determinants of the success that we experience. There are many who keep hoping for positive results but doing nothing about it, others pray about their projected outcomes but take no steps to reaching them. For these individuals, failure to achieve is not hinged on a lack of faith or the inability of God to deliver their hearts desires, but it is hinged on their not taking any steps towards the actualization of their expectations. Brethren, I am not minimizing the place of hope, faith and prayer, that is foundational, what I am suggesting is that together with our hope, faith and prayer, there is a place for action. James in his writing said that faith without actions is dead (James 2:17). This makes me curious if there are times when we kill our dreams because we have failed to take appropriate actions.
The words of our reference verse were spoken by our Lord Jesus. When I reflect on the passage and the conclusion as given by the Master, it occurs to me that there is the call for a determined pursuit of what we have set to do. Jesus was speaking of the decision to follow Him and where one cannot be side-tracked by other issues of life. James writes again that we cannot be double-minded, for such as are double-minded, they are unstable and doubtful (James 1:7-8). The emphasis of clarity of mind and heart towards what we commit to do or to be is explicit, that is the standard of God. Brethren, if all we do on earth including our jobs, relationships and pledges are set to please the Lord our God, then we also need to approach them with undivided attention and full commitment. We cannot be half hearted about what we do, it is either we are all in or not at all. Staying the course means that our whole being is committed to the end that we pursue. There will be times when we will be tempted to step aside albeit for a minute but beloved, we are not to be those who fall away. God assures us in His word that no temptation has come our way which is beyond what we can bear, He is faithful and will give us a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). This is a verse that encourages us that no matter what we are facing, we need only hold on for our God will provide a way of our escape, making sure that we overcome the battle. Beloved, the battle is rigged in our favour, we are not to give up, for we know how it will end, it will be with our victory.
Apostle Paul gives us a picture of staying the course and not giving up, in the commonly referred passage of having fought the good fight, finishing the race and keeping the faith, so that now there is an expectation of a crown of righteous from God the righteous judge (2 Timothy 4:7-8). These words are encouraging and give us an expression of the hope that we carry, but they were spoken by one who went through many troubles and situations which could have led to his backsliding. The power of his words give us a window into the ending of those who stay the course, those that Jesus would say are worthy of the Kingdom of God.
Thoughts:
In which areas are you tempted to give up?
When have you seen God give you a way out?
How are you encouraging yourself to hold on?