Have you ever felt as if you had given this journey we are on, all that you had? Have you asked the question, “How long is this season going to last?” Or have you found your self justifying a less-than-stellar effort?
I know I have, but I rarely hear of anyone talking about someone successful in the Bible who dealt with this same struggle. So often I’ve heard about Paul’s statement to Timothy about finishing the race, as an example of how to live up to God’s design for my life, but sometimes I just need God’s Word to be real and tangible with me.
The cool thing is, God showed me this evening, almost two years after I first had this thought written down, that King Saul struggled too. It was before he was even crowned king. As he searched for his father’s donkeys he traveled from town to town with no success and eventually turned to his servant and said, and I paraphrase here, “This is a waste of time. We’ve been searching such a long time; my Dad isn’t going to care about the donkeys. By now he has got to be worried about our well-being. Let’s go back.”
Whether you are still lost and have not been found or you have been on a journey with Christ for many years, you may find yourself wandering in the wilderness on this long hard road called “life.” The most important part of this journey is how you let your life develop. Are you listening to the Liar, (one of Satan’s names) who says, “You are the source of your own strength” that, “You can achieve whatever you put your mind to.”
Or are you, rather, setting your pride aside and trusting the Father and Creator of all speak into your life and guide your path. There is a commonly quoted scripture that talks about trusting in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6) but the two verses that follow are incredibly important, possibly even more important to the issue at hand:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Prov 3:5-8 ESV.
Jesus knew it wasn’t going to be easy and even gave a great example of how to persevere in Mark 4:14-20. Don’t be discouraged, be sure to cling tight to God’s Word, get involved with a bible-based church that doesn’t concentrate on the laws and bi-laws more than the words within the book. Legalism and religion will kill your relationship with God faster than Satan could hope for. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in your choices, do not fear upsetting someone by leaving, it is not up to them how God is going to work through you.
As I mentioned, King Saul was ready to give up and go home. I have struggled similarly as I am sure many have before me. God’s calling for your life, may lie just around the bend. Continue to give “Glory in his holy name; [to] let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! [to] Seek the Lord and his strength; [to] seek his presence continually! [to] remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered,” and as you do, He will aide you on your journey. 1 Chr 16:10-12 ESV.