Colossians 3:23-24, English Standard Version

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

There have been many times in my life when something new has started. Maybe I started a new job, took on a new responsibility, or began a new hobby. When we first begin things like that it can be exciting, and we may have a lot of passion to move forward. At some point however, no matter what it is that we are doing, we are going to encounter resistance and difficulties. There will be times when we don’t really feel like putting in the effort to what we said we were going to do. Instead, we want to give up, leaving the job unfinished.

I recently had a great blessing to walk with a couple of very dear friends through some Bible study and teaching. It was a long road to complete the curriculum and took some very real effort to push forward. There were days when they were tired from work and their other responsibilities, but they chose to watch the video, have the discussions, and meet to talk about it. When we reached the end, one of my friends remarked about how so often in their life they had set out to do something, but then never saw it through until the end. They became emotional because in this effort, learning more about the Lord His Word, they had pressed through and completed what they had set out to do.

It made me think about my own walk with the Lord. Have I come to a place where I am satisfied with my relationship with Christ? Have I come to a place where I am no longer striving to keep pursuing Christ every day? Those are difficult questions to answer. I know the church answer for them, but when I truly examine my heart, and I seeking to finish what I have set out to do?  And these are the same questions that I have for you to wrestle with today. Maybe you are reading this, and you know you have been called into a particular ministry or work and yet, you have been facing discouragement and resistance. Maybe you have been raising children and it seems like nothing you do is helping to influence your kids for the Lord. Maybe you are in a marriage which is facing difficulty and you wondering if the effort is worth it. If you are in any of these situations then I want to tell you, seeking and striving to pursue the things of the Lord will never disappoint you. Though it may be difficult in the moment, the peace, the love, and the joy that comes from Him will be worth is all!

I pray that you will examine your own heart and mind and allow the Lord to reveal Himself to you in a greater way. Do not stop seeking Him in your life and do not allow the enemy to discourage you from moving forward in what the Lord has called you to do. God is good all the time and He has a plan to prosper you and not to harm you. Praise the Lord!