In a times much like what we are experiencing; it is certainly easy to get distracted. With the news reports (real and fake), political & racial unrest, swirling words of division, e-learning, shut-in-orders, and not to mention the continious world wide spread of COVID-19; you may have experienced a sense of being exhausted. When we entered this season many thought it would come and go. It seems as if we're in a marathon when many thought we were in a sprint. Scripture says; (Hebrews 12:1-3) "Therefore, since we are surronded by such a great cloud of witnessee 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
The words in this particular scripture that resonates with me are; perseverance, fixing our eyes, joy set before us, and endurance. As Christ followers we must not grow weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we do not faint (Galatians 6:9). We must enter into any situation we encounter asking for eyes to see, ears to hear, a heart to receive, and a mind to obey what the spirit of the Lord is saying. Now let us labour into REST. Rest my dear hearts. God is soverign.
Recently, I've started running. Yes, I know crazy huh, While I never had the desire to run before neither had I been athletic. I simply took my cues from Holy Spirit as he has been training me. However, I did not start out as a runner. I started briskly walking, and working my way up to a jog. Now, what I see myself doing is more of a sprint. I have not yet achieved a full non-stop run. I have somehow built my endurance to be able to go a longer distance while running. Was this an easy feat? No, I had never been athletic and I did not "want" to do it. I like the benefits of running. I feel great, I'm achieving fitness goals, and I really do like challenging myself. Lastly, running is an exercise which increases chemicals called endorphins which interact with receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain and trigger a positive feeling in the body; "a natural high".
I was running one day and Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "you're doing it wrong". He said, "focus on where you are and you'll go longer distances". In that moment my "Helper" was helping me. I was setting a goal ahead of me by saying to myself, "keep running until you get to the end of block". I wasn't focused on the race that was set before me. On the contrary; I was focused on the finish. Sure, the finish would be joyous. Consequenlty, I was expeiencing burn out. I had to learn to persevere and fix my eyes. Perseverance is steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success, and in order to do that we must fix and focus our eyes on Jesus. We often want the "process" to pass by quickly in order to reach a "destination". I began to adjust my focus while running by using the "mind over matter" concept. The "mind over matter" concept suggest; a situation in which someone is able to control a physical condition, problem or situation by using the mind. An ability to keep going even when tired. This ability is a simple question of mind over matter.
Conversely, many have found that their emotions are stronger than their minds, They may feel the pressures of: dred, stress, anxiety, worry, giref, depravity, and loss. Let's not focus on the end result but focus on right where we are. Focus on what you have right in front of you by looking for the good. Find something good. We can persevere through these times by fixing our gaze on Jesus, so that we may endure until the end of any circumstance. Find yourself strenthening your mind. You may need to do like me and try something new. Daily connect with the Father through the son, You have the power in you to make this season work for you. And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). "Now unto him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen (Jude 1:24-25).
