Persevere

Getting into action for God requires your commitment, your time, and your heart. Today you’ll read how God wants to encourage you to persevere and keep going so that you’ll eventually reach the finish line.

How difficult it can be to persevere! To finish what you started and bring it to a successful end. Being active for God and dedicating yourself to Him demands everything from you, your whole life. You’ve read that dedication begins with really listening and following Him. Then you may also pass on His words. But how do you keep it up? By realizing that it is Jesus who has gone before you. You’re not walking alone! “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God,” it says in Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV). When you run the race and get into action for God, you’re also going to face opposition. But hold on! There is a cloud of witnesses around you to encourage you.

Paul uses the familiar image of a race here. My thoughts immediately go back to my first sponsor marathon in Kenya, where I had to run half a marathon at 2,000m altitude, which was hard. The route was partly impassable due to the rain, there was a thick layer of sticky mud under my running shoes, and there was very little oxygen in the air due to the altitude at which I had to run. How important is it then to keep the goal in mind! And to be encouraged along the way by enthusiastic people! It is the same way for you. Hang in there, Paul says. Keep your eyes on Jesus. If you stumble or waver, He will keep you going. Together with Him, you can run the race.

Read Isaiah 58:7 to 11 again. Is there anything that touches you that gets you moving today?