Endurance part 5
It's about moving forward. Upward and God-ward. And you can't do that if you give up every time something doesn't go your way. Remember the verse I quoted yesterday, Luke 9:62, "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Another way to say it is, "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold not hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:16). More is lost by indecision than wrong decision. Doing SOMETHING is better than doing nothing. Trying and failing isn't the problem. Failing to try is the problem. And I know "they" (there they are again) say God gives us mountains so we can learn how to climb. But Isaiah 40:3-5 tells a different story, "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." According to that, God doesn't give us mountains at all. He gives a straight and narrow path that leads unto life. And He does that by bringing the mountains low and the valleys high. So if you feel like you're on an emotional rollercoaster... just get off the crazy train. Let the Word from the mouth of the Lord make it easy for you. And the Word is Jesus. The Word is love. Love isn't supposed to be up and down. In and out. Will they won't they. Love lasts forever no matter what. Love never fails because it has already succeeded. And when you're running the race from the finish line... you can't lose. When you understand HOW love succeeded--by giving everything it has and everything it is and expecting nothing in return--that's when you can be still and know that God is love. And when you're being still (rather than running around like a chicken with its head cut off) that's when you rise. Upward and God-ward. That's the difference between "falling" in love and rising TO love. There's a song that says, "It's not the falling in love I'm afraid of, it's the sudden stop." Right? It's not the fall that gets you. It's the abrupt landing. So stop falling. Stop making moutains out of molehills. Stop tripping over things that are under your feet. Those who wait upon the Lord will rise on eagle's wings. Don't trade what you want most for what you want now. Don't ever settle. There's a power working in you (called love) and it can do more than you could ever ask or think. Love is bigger than we'll ever be able to fully understand. And that's what this everlasting life-long journey into the heart of the matter is all about. It's about testing the height, and length, and depth, and breadth of God's love for us. By loving each other as hard as we can. Not by trying to change people, but by letting people be who they are, and loving them no matter what. That's what longsuffering, and patience, and endurance is all about. You know, the fruit of the Spirit. Which is love. So don't get stuck, and don't give up. And whatever you do, don't go backwards. Press on for the mark of the high calling. You've been called to love. And you are equipped and empowered TO love because you ARE loved. Because you are love. So even when it seems hard... endure!