“Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,” Hebrews 6:17-19 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/heb.6.19.NKJV
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/2ti.4.7.NKJV
People like to get to the finish line. We have goals to set in life to end up successful. That’s why we see others struggling in the Iron Man or the Marathon. Completing a 4-year education can be grueling and then we want to feel the exhilaration of completing Graduate School. How about paying off that mortgage or saving for retirement? We know things of value require struggles along the way. If it was easy, the value of the achievement is lower. Maybe we are just a sucker for punishment like Paul was. Or, maybe we are willing to struggle so we can feel that sweet success? Keeping the faith is really no different. Throughout our lives, we are going to receive a mixture of successes and challenges. We will be filled with temptations and sometimes doubt. There will be times when we can’t understand the struggles we are currently enduring. A health shift tests the faith. Struggling financially in life can test faith too. How about a death in the family? I really wonder whether Dad made it to heaven. I hope so but that is not my decision.
I sometimes wonder if I can stay in the race. My mind is willing but my heart wavers sometimes when struggles happen. I am filled with distractions of this world and must remain focused. I can see the finish line on the horizon so I must keep running on a straight path to reach it. I look left and right and there are no shortcuts. God is there to help me so pray often. He will never leave me. He is rooting me on.
Keep the faith. Run straight to the finish line. Eyes forward. Get to the prize as it's exhilarating! You can reach there as the struggles continue. You completed your degree(s), completed the marathon, met difficult goals, took on challenges head on, and came out victorious. If you can do that, you can reach the Glory of God too. It may be hard at times, but the finish line will be amazing!
by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor
Alberta, Canada
