For the past couple of years, I have chosen one word to be the year’s theme. As the days proceed, my word reminds me of my desired focus. In a simple way, it acts like a compass setting to which I return when distractions overtake my intentions.
Last year, my word was Courage. It was a bold reminder as I stepped into the occasionally intrepid waters of new ministry opportunities, conflict in friendships, and challenging writing goals.
This year, I choose Endurance.
According to Dictionary.com, the definition for endurance is “the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions.”
As I look toward 2015, I see change on the horizon:
two children in college,
empty nest,
launch of my discipleship ministry (Soul Motive),
house repair needs,
yard stuff (we really need to add grass to the mudpit of our backyard),
need to reduce cholesterol,
and pressing denominational concerns in our church.
Among it all, I want to be faithful to the Lord. I need to persevere in relationships, ministry calling, and health … no matter what the day brings!
The writer of Hebrews holds the key for me…
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
~Hebrews 12:1.
This verse highlights three guidelines for endurance:
1) Don’t do it alone. We all need a cloud of witnesses. We need people in our lives to encourage us and to keep us accountable. I will listen more intently to my family and friends as 2015 presses on. I am especially grateful for the sisterhood of the Redbud Writers Guild. Their honest insights and prompts challenge me daily in my writing goals and my faith walk.
2) Be realistic. To persevere, I need to be aware of all that hinders pushing forward. What are the weights and sins that entangle me and prevent me from pressing on? Sometimes it’s financial resources, sometimes it’s my own emotions, sometimes it’s unresolved relationship issues. Journaling, prayer, and my cloud of witnesses will guide me as I seek to understand the obstacles in my path.
3) Have a plan. There is a race set out before me. It is not random. Trends, common threads, gifts, talents, needs, and Holy Spirit promptings, illuminate the race markers. I will assess decisions in light of the overall directions that I sense the Lord is directing me. This is BIG for me because I tend to be a people-pleaser. I also re-commit to time chunking and better use of my time.
Endurance is necessary for our faith journey. It’s not glamorous. It’s quite boring, actually. It’s the day to day ordinary choices that incrementally carry us along the path of discipleship into spiritual growth.
I need endurance for 2015.
Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory. ~William Barclay
Do you have a word for 2015?
Thanks for this important reminder, Sharon. Few projects of value can be accomplished quickly if only because the human nervous system is slow to adapt to change. We will be more than conquerors in Jesus.
Ahhh…is that how inertia takes over? :-) So true that in Christ, we can overcome. I love how Hebrews 12:2 continues and reminds us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Thanks for stopping in, Laurna!
Your post reminded me of another Scripture that I believe defines the essence of endurance: Philippians 3:12-14. “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” And yes, may we press on and endure for 2015!
Amen! Thanks for adding the Philippians Scripture reference, Debbie. Such a great passage to also hold onto as we press into each new day.