A couple of weeks ago I made up a workout involving the flight of stairs leading up to my front door, a jump rope and some jumping jacks. I wish that I never came up with this circuit from hades, but I did, and now I wake up in the morning feeling obligated to do it. This morning as I was running my stairs, wishing I would fall down them to put me out of my misery, I realized that what I’m building is endurance. Physical endurance, enables you to go faster and longer. Next week this workout will be easier, and the next week I may even be able to add yet another station to my circuit (hopefully not). But as I was running this morning, contemplating quitting, I realized I’m not doing this for the now, but rather for the future. The now is hard, it hurts and I'm pretty sure my body would rather me give up; but my mind knows that my body will be happier if I keep going, if I endure. So I keep going and I endure the pain now for the future rewards.
This is exactly what the storms of life are like, when they rage all around us it’s hard to keep our focus. It’s hard to remember why we are enduring, instead of just quitting. It’s hard to get up in the morning and make yourself go through the routine. But this morning I was reminded that my life right now is building spiritual endurance. I will be stronger next week; and the week after I just might have to endure a stronger storm, but I need to remember I’m not doing this for the now, but rather for the future. Everyday is a strengthening and if I just continue to walk, even when everything in me screams “quit”, I will one day be victorious! My reward is heaven; this life is but a breath, it is here one minute and gone the next, so how am I going to spend it? Am I going to endure, doing the work God has called me to, or am I going to quit? My mind says quit a lot, but the Lord knows that I will be much happier if I keep going, if I endure. So I keep going and I endure the pain now for the future rewards.
4 comments:
Glad to see you're enjoying my "Heaven" book. I can read between the lines of your blogs. I am so glad to be back in Kisumu with my friends. We're coming over for supper tonight(or we can eat out)-we still don't have any water! And I am bringing a belated birthday cake over for Zach. Don't tell him.
See you at bible study-I'm leading today and I'm gonna need some backup/filler-so be ready to talk!
Ju,
What your blog just told me is that you're going to have a rockin body when you get back!!!! Keep running those stairs, girl with the prize in your mind. Well, I love you and am glad that you can always look at things that you are doing and put a spiritual twist on it. That really is a gift! I love you and will see you SOON!!!!!!! I think 25 or 26 days! THAT'S AWESOME!!!!!!
I feel bad that people are not responding to your blogs, and I am guilty as charged. Believe me, we read what you write, but sometimes we just don't know how to respond so we don't.
I for one, love to read what you write ...your humor and your sadness and your love of our awesome Saviour. Please keep sending your beautiful thoughts to us....in other words ENDURE! (we'll understand if we don't hear from you while you are home).
Your family is always in my prayers!
Ok Jules - It has been forever since I have written, I guess that terrible word busy gets in the way!! I love to hear what goes on day to day in Africa and how you are working through some of the most challenging times in your life. I am always encouraged by your words of wisdom as you blog your thoughts and innermost feelings. We serve a God who is so loving and tenderhearted and is honored to call you his child. I am always in awe of how he is working in all of you, HOW EXCITING! We soooo look forward to you coming home.I know you will be super busy when you get home BUT I am looking forward to a girl sleep over again with lots of singing and lots of dancing!!! no pressure.. Please give everyone hugs and kisses for me. I miss you all SOOO MUCH!!!
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