Isaiah 43:2 (NKJV)
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
Have you ever played a sport where the coach was always yelling at you about your follow through? Maybe you started a project around your home, but you ran out of time or resources and now it was never finished? How about making that promise to help someone, but you never seem to get back with them to keep it?
Throughout our lives we will have things that get pushed to the back burner or don’t get finished. There may even be times in the middle of the day we will pause then not continue. Life does happen and we are usually faced with many versions of either pushing through or giving up and it may not be an easy choice.
If you ever played sports, you may have endured this on a different level. The pitcher in baseball who is not stepping as far or allowing is body to complete their throwing motion, so the pitch goes high. A tennis player who doesn’t finish their racket stroke and the shot hits the net. You may have even seen a golfer who doesn’t bring the club all the way through and the ball either dribbles down the fairway or goes the wrong direction.
These players may have any number of reasons why this is happening. They may be tired, there could be an injury, or the competition is just so far gone there is no real reason to keep trying. Translating this into regular life we may find that we are tired, we have run out of resources, or things are so out of hand there is no reason to continue.
At any of these moments the choices are again the same, either push through or give up. We can be that pitcher who reaches down deep to get that last out, that tennis player who rallies back to take the set, or the golfer who pauses between holes to regain their focus to hit the perfect drive. It is always possible.
History is filled with stories of extraordinary feats of resilience not only in sports, but everyday life. The small business owner who failed twice before opening a successful restaurant, the single parent who finally finished college to get a better paying job, or anyone who has struggled with illness until they found resolution.
We can all take a look at our own lives and find those moments where we were looking for more time, more help, or just more energy to finish what we needed to. I know myself that I have had projects undone, phone calls not returned, or just sitting unable to move. The question is, what do we do when we get to that point?
In this day we can listen to any number of motivational speakers, watch helpful videos, or find clips from the past. If you are old school, you may go to a library or head to a bookstore. Any of these resources may tell us to dig down deep to find the strength to keep going, the latest technique guaranteed to work, or how to solve everything in three easy steps.
I have tried books, videos, and the latest craze, but most times I seemed to end up back where I started. It was not until I dusted off one of the oldest books that I owned that I began to find better answers from some of the original motivational speakers that ever lived. Those voices were in the bible. What’s even better is that they are not the words of man, but those given to man by God.
In the opening scripture we find the assurance that no matter what we are going through the Lord is with us. We will not drown or get burned by the fire. We may have all felt like we were so overwhelmed that we were drowning or the heat from the out of control flames of a situation. We should see that God is our lifeguard and our heat shield.
It is put a slightly different way in Psalm 46:1-3, “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
Our peace and our refuge are in God. Even though our world may feel like it is shaking or falling apart, He is there. No matter what is going on or how tired we may feel, we should not be afraid to follow through with whatever we need to do. Calling on Him for answers and strength is not just a one time offer that is set to expire.
We find further assurances of this in Lamentations 3:22-23, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” No matter what is happening, we will not be consumed, and He will always be there no matter the situation.
Remember what it says in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Not just some things, but all things. So, whether you are that pitcher or the average person on the street, you can call on the Lord. Just be sincere in your requests and be willing to follow whatever guidance you get. When we do, we will be able to follow through.
GET YOURSELF BACK ON COURSE
My goals are really moving and they’re picking up some speed,
All the pieces are falling into place and I have everything I need.
Then I hit the first little hiccup but it is easy to overcome,
Then more little things start popping up leaving some things undone.
Little frustrations begin to mount and start growing ever higher,
Soon it’s hard to see which way to go as I begin to tire.
With more questions than I have answers I’m not sure which way to go,
Lord, I feel like such a failure with no accomplishments to show.
My child, you must stop and take a breath to truly see where you are at,
It is easy to overlook any progress when you’re feeling kind of flat.
Rejoice in your early victories and the blessings you have received,
There are forces trying to push you back and want you to be deceived.
Come to me with your questions and anything else you need,
Then listen carefully for the answers so you can succeed.
Use my strength to push on through and my word is a power source,
Feel my spirit walking beside you to Get Yourself Back On Course.
Simple Faith Christian
Copyright 2013
Simple Faith Christian 