"Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." Hebrews 10:36
When Sister Mary Jo Sobieck stepped up to throw the first pitch at the White Sox vs Kansas City Royals game on Saturday, August 18, no one expected her to throw a perfect strike that inspired the White Sox to tweet "One of the most impressive pitches of all time." Of her physical fitness, this one time half-marathoner said, "To be a good athlete, you have to be strong in body, mind, and spirit. There will be times that you’ll lose, and you have to know how to prepare your mind for those failures. Striving towards sainthood requires the same level of discipline, humility, and stick-to-it-ness."
And you know, stick-to-it-ness is the exact thing that will be required for us to "continue to do God's will" in the face of failures, setbacks and the ever-mounting opposition to our faith in this world. You see, if you and I hope to "receive all that he has promised," we have to endure to the end. We have to obtain and practice "patient endurance" or the steadfast resolution that says, "No matter what happens, I will not give up and I will not give in. I will not compromise and I will follow Jesus no matter what sacrifices I have to make or hurdles I have to overcome. Even if it costs me my life, I will serve Him... to the end.”
So in a world that is becoming increasingly more hostile to the Christian faith, do you have stick-to-it-ness? Have you developed that "patient endurance" that will give you the strength to stand up for what you believe in and the staying power to stand firm on that belief?
Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that following You will not always be easy and that developing patient endurance, through reading the Word and cultivating a deep relationship with You, is crucial to the success of our Christian walk. Help us to stand tall in the face of adversity and to boldly declare your Truth. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Unashamed - Jeremy Camp
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