Despite difficulty

"To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life." Romans 2:7

While many people were spending their Labor Day morning refraining from all labor, I was blessed to have spent mine running a marathon along with a hundred or so other die-hard runners, including a group of about ten that were having a 26.2 mile party to celebrate, as their shirts indicated, "Jim's" 50th marathon. And if perseverance is defined as steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success, I would say that Jim most definitely had that characteristic in making it this far. You see, it's this undeviating constancy that any person must have to continue to lace up and hit the road day after day and mile after mile, training run after training run. And it was, no doubt, that unwavering resolution to cross the finish line 49 times prior that led Jim to this day of celebration.

But you know the Bible tells us of a day of even greater celebration--the day "those who by perseverance in doing good" will receive the prize of "eternal life." And although we can't gain access to Heaven by our works since salvation comes by faith alone, we can and should spend our lives in grateful response to what God has done by committing ourselves to serving Christ with an unwavering resolution to do His will. You see it's when we, by perseverance, do this that we can't help but do good deeds that will surely inspire others to know Jesus.  

So may you and I be so steadfast in following God's will today that, despite difficulty, we might be known as a die-hard group of followers... determined to reach the finish line at any cost and no matter how long it might take.

Heavenly Father, thank you those people like the apostle Paul who serve as examples of what it means to persevere despite difficulty. Even while enduring beatings, shipwrecks, persecution and imprisonment, Paul refused to give up or waver in his devotion to you. May we have that same unwavering resolution to press on no matter what we might be facing. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Audio Adrenaline-Move
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH5kOgOTPtk