Stick-to-itiveness is rarely celebrated. In a bygone era, a lifetime of faithful labor with a company was celebrated with a gold watch and well-wishes for a long and happy retirement. Today longevity is a liability. A resume' with an extensive list of short-term company stints shows initiative and drive, and is rewarded with yet one more career move.
I've been with the same "company" for a little over thirty-eight years now. I have no desire for a change; I'm perfectly content right where I am. In fact, any so-called promotion would ultimately be a demotion.
"If we endure, we will also reign with Him" (2 Timothy 2:12).
In the company of the committed to Christ, longevity is truly rewarded. Endurance is the key criteria for governmental responsibility in the cabinet of Christ. Those who persevere will find ultimate purpose in the plan of God known as the kingdom of God. The overcomers will be a vital part of best government the world has ever seen.
A recent timely conversation reminded me that the Bible is very specific about what those who endure in this age can anticipate in the age to come. The Old Testament prophets provide descriptive imagery of lush vegetation, housebuilding initiative, prosperity, peace in the animal world, peace among the nations, and personal health - to name a few. If endurance is motivated by "keeping our eye on the prize", the more we familiarize ourselves with "the prize", the greater the endurance incentive.
Today's task may seem far from glorious - to keep on keeping on. But, there may be formidable obstacles for you to overcome to just keep on keeping on. The pile of debt may be climbing. Job stress may be almost to the breaking point. Tension at home may be nearly unbearable. Peer pressure may be so great that caving in is a very real possibility. Keeping on keeping on may seem like a major stretch today. But, "If we endure, we will also reign with Him". When it's all said and done, no one will regret enduring. The only regrets will be from those who didn't.
As those whose eyes are set on the kingdom prize and goal, these words are a timely admonition: "admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone." (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Stay the course. Help those who have veered from it, and encourage those tempted to quit. Endure. And inspire endurance. "do not grow weary of doing good." (2 Thessalonians 3:13)
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
I've been with the same "company" for a little over thirty-eight years now. I have no desire for a change; I'm perfectly content right where I am. In fact, any so-called promotion would ultimately be a demotion.
"If we endure, we will also reign with Him" (2 Timothy 2:12).
In the company of the committed to Christ, longevity is truly rewarded. Endurance is the key criteria for governmental responsibility in the cabinet of Christ. Those who persevere will find ultimate purpose in the plan of God known as the kingdom of God. The overcomers will be a vital part of best government the world has ever seen.
A recent timely conversation reminded me that the Bible is very specific about what those who endure in this age can anticipate in the age to come. The Old Testament prophets provide descriptive imagery of lush vegetation, housebuilding initiative, prosperity, peace in the animal world, peace among the nations, and personal health - to name a few. If endurance is motivated by "keeping our eye on the prize", the more we familiarize ourselves with "the prize", the greater the endurance incentive.
Today's task may seem far from glorious - to keep on keeping on. But, there may be formidable obstacles for you to overcome to just keep on keeping on. The pile of debt may be climbing. Job stress may be almost to the breaking point. Tension at home may be nearly unbearable. Peer pressure may be so great that caving in is a very real possibility. Keeping on keeping on may seem like a major stretch today. But, "If we endure, we will also reign with Him". When it's all said and done, no one will regret enduring. The only regrets will be from those who didn't.
As those whose eyes are set on the kingdom prize and goal, these words are a timely admonition: "admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone." (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Stay the course. Help those who have veered from it, and encourage those tempted to quit. Endure. And inspire endurance. "do not grow weary of doing good." (2 Thessalonians 3:13)
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 8:00 AM
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