Don't Give Up Yet, You're So Close

Scripture 

We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.- Colossian 1:11

A few years ago I climbed Stone Mountain with a friend. It was an exhilarating experience, as there were smooth sections that eventually became very steep. There were some spots where I was forced to use the handrail as I went up the incline to reach the top. Overall the climb up wasn't treacherous, that is until I was three steps away from the summit. There I was frozen in place. I felt like I couldn't take another step. Exhaustion had taken over and discouragement had set in. My companion went ahead of me and he turned and said, "Take the next step and look directly at me." When we locked eyes, I was able to take the last three steps to reach the summit. 

Isn't that just like us at times? We want to give up when we're closest to reaching our destination. After I reached the top, I was amazed at how I faced some difficult terrain coming up the mountain, but I persevered. I wanted to give up when I was so close to finishing. On this Christian journey, we are going to encounter situations and get through them with ease. There are some terrain in our lives that aren't impossible to travel through, but it'll take a lot of perseverance. Then there are going to be moments when we are so close to the promise and the breakthrough, but the way will seem so much harder than it's ever been. This is when God will give us strength to endure what seems unendurable.

When I shifted my focus from exhaustion to my companion, I felt strengthened. The key to finishing the climb was focusing on the right thing. Beloved, are you focused on the difficulties of life or are your eyes upon God? Let's keep our focus on Him and make Him bigger than the mountain that is before us. He will strengthen our resolve to endure the unendurable. 

Prayer

Father, thank you for your strength to endure through challenges and difficulties. Holy Spirit please remind us to keep our eyes on God because we're close to breakthrough and receiving the promise. In Jesus' name. Amen