Perseverance

“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.”  Hebrews 12:1

This past week, I went on vacation with my husband’s family.  On the first day out we took a hike.  We thought it would be easy, but it ended up being uphill for most of the time. It felt hard at times, and we wondered how much longer until we reached the peak?  There were moments when we even considered turning around, but thankfully some cheered us along to keep going.

At one point in the hike, I just accepted that I was going to persevere and I got my second wind.  Finally, we made it to the top and saw a beautiful view.  Then the descent felt relatively easy and was downhill most of the time.   So with energy, speed and great Joy we made it back to our cars and found our way to enjoy a refreshing, and rejuvenating dip in a river.

There was so much to learn on that hike:

1) You need to keep a sense of humor when expectations are not met. 

2) You need others to encourage and cheer you on when life gets hard and you want to quit.

3) Remember-Don’t give up because there is a beautiful view that you just might miss. 

4) Always talk to others who have gone before you because they will tell you what’s ahead.

5) After persevering God will refresh you with Streams of Living Waters.

There is a race marked out for everyone of us.

There are guides, and cheerleaders, there are companions and friends.  There are peaks, and valleys.  There is sweat and laughter.

We need to keep going “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:2

For Joy’s Sake!