Uphill Battles

“In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.” (Psalm 18:29 NLT)

Running up a hill is much more difficult than running on a flat surface. This is due to the force of gravity which pulls us down to earth’s center. Cyclists know to change gears as they ride up hills. Runners, on the other hand, just ‘attack the hills’--which basically amounts to trying harder. Expending more energy may get you up a hill faster, but it is not efficient. Runners need to ‘switch gears’--be mentally focused, recruit different muscles, change posture, decrease stride length, and increase cadence. There are many hills in a long distance race; thus, efficiency of movement becomes critical over time. The goal is to finish well. 

The lessons of running can be useful in our daily lives. We all know how it feels to face uphill battles--mountains of adversity, obstacles, and opposition. As we try to scale new heights, the gravity of worldliness pulls us down. How we approach the climb is critical. We can either try harder, or we can switch gears. The latter is more efficient. Instead of relying on our own strength, we can access God’s power. We can change our posture, focus, attitude, and perspective. There are many hills to overcome in a lifetime, and with God we shall advance through every stronghold and finish the race well. 

Making an Impact

“Simply be the example they need to see by being faithful and true in all that you do. Speak the truth and live a life of purity and authentic love as you remain strong in your faith.” (1 Timothy 4:12 TPT)

Winter has settled in around Iowa. Snow and ice cover everything. Most days, the temperature remains below the freezing point, so the ice doesn’t melt. For a runner, this type of weather is discouraging since slippery roads can lead to falls and injuries. Thus, I am always on the lookout for any signs of change. Today I noticed a dried leaf on the edge of a pile of snow. It had absorbed enough of the sun’s warmth to melt about a millimeter of the ice around it. I stopped to take a picture, because it spoke to me.

All of us hope to leave a positive impact on this world. We hope our legacy is significant--a sign that our life mattered. Contributions by celebrities are often more publicized than those who are not famous. Thus, ordinary acts of kindness by obscure individuals may go unnoticed; yet, they are no less meaningful. Not everyone has the opportunity to influence millions of people, but we can be good examples to those in our immediate vicinity. Like a dry leaf on the edge of a pile of snow, we can absorb the Son’s light and warmth and affect our surroundings. Virtues of purity, authenticity, and honesty always leave an imprint. We can be faithful in all that we do, speaking truth, showing kindness, extending grace. Our impact may seem miniscule, but it can be deeply transformative to those who are touched by our lives. 

Past Glory

“I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know him through your deepening intimacy with him.” (Ephesians 1:17 TPT)

Do you feel like you are past your prime? Are your best days behind you? Or could they still be ahead? 

Most of us who are ‘older’ think our glory days are behind us. Thus, we tend to dwell in the past--recounting victories, pining losses, reminiscing about the good old days, and regretting bygone mistakes. We try to hang on to vestiges of youth and vitality through natural and artificial methods.  Although there are many ways to delay physical and mental decline, eventually all humans succumb to the aging process. 

“Stop dwelling on the past. Don’t even remember these former things. I am doing something brand new, something unheard of. Even now it sprouts and grows and matures. Don’t you perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and open up flowing streams in the desert.” (Isaiah 48:28-19 TPT)

The beauty and strength of youth cannot hold a candle to what is available to us in Christ. The Father of glory is working in us, imparting spiritual wisdom and revelation as we deepen our intimacy with Him. He is doing something brand new, something unimaginable. Even though we can’t always recognize it, we are growing and evolving. God is blazing trails through the wilderness, channeling streams of grace into the aridness. The  days of youthful sparkle are perhaps over. Yet, for those who operate under the power of God’s infinite glory, the best days are still ahead. 

Source of Support

“Your strength will support me.” (Psalm 139:10 NLT)

When applying for a student visa, candidates have to present a letter of support confirming access to the necessary funds to meet their financial needs while in the host country. This affidavit shows the income, savings, and other assets owned by the student’s parents and other close relatives who have promised aid. Obviously, a parent’s assurance of support carries more weight than that of a distant relative. 

“Leave all your cares and anxieties at the feet of the Lord, and measureless grace will strengthen you.” (Psalm 55:22 TPT)

Our Father in Heaven has unlimited resources. The Scriptures are His letters of support. This world is not our own; we are merely here to learn and grow. We can confidently live in this host country with the assurance that our Father will support all our needs. Thus, let us leave all our cares and anxieties at the feet of the Lord and wait for His measureless grace to strengthen us. 

Collaborative Projects

“Finish what you started in me, God.” (Psalm 138:8 MSG)

A few years ago, I decided to get serious about running. I hired a coach, bought new gear, read books about the sport, and kept meticulous training records. My speed and endurance improved, but not as much as my coach would have liked. The coach’s confidence in me exceeded my own dedication. Subsequently, my progress plateaued somewhere between his plans for me and my expectations for myself. 

God creates each of us with a purpose. We might not be able to comprehend God’s vision, and His expectations may seem unreasonable. Yet, cooperation and trust are essential. Growth is a collaborative project that involves personal obedience and Divine faithfulness. Our dedication must align with God’s expectations. God will not give up on us halfway. He finishes what He starts. He will work out His plans for our lives. 

“I’m fully convinced that the One who began this glorious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you.” (Philippians 1:6 TPT)

Worship Charades

“Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.” (Isaiah 1:17 MSG)

A gym is a good place for observing people. Other than the obvious physical differences in those who show up, it is interesting to watch what people do while they are there. Many gym members fall into these broad categories: Trendy Dressers, Selfie-Takers, Groups of Friends, Serious Fitness Buffs, Slackers, Spectators, and Socializers. How they spend their time and energy reveals their motivations and priorities. 

Similarly, a church is a good place to observe people. Many church attendees fall into the following broad categories: Habitual Christians, Committee Members, Social Cliques, Holiday Drop-ins, and Committed Disciples of Christ. The famous preacher Billy Graham once commented that he thought only about 10 percent of all regularly attending church members were actually Christians! 

“Quit your worship charades. I can’t stand your trivial religious games:

Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings... (Isaiah 1:13 MSG)

The majority of church-goers are busy playing worship charades and other religious games. They mistakenly think that checking attendance boxes and being active in church-sponsored events is a sign of holiness. True followers of Christ can be identified by their behavior: They say no to wrong, learn to do good, work for justice, help the down-and-out, stand up for the homeless, and go to bat for the defenseless. Their motivations and priorities align with what the gospels teach and how Jesus lived. 

Spiritual Somnolence

“Arise, you sleeper! Rise up from the dead and the Anointed One will shine his light into you!” (Ephesians 5:14 TPT)

Coffee is an integral part of my morning ritual. I cradle the warm cup in my hands while I wait for the caffeine to kick in. I can feel my mind waking up. The lights turn on, the windows are open, and fresh insights stream in. On the rare days that I skip this routine, I tend to remain drowsy and get headaches later in the day. I have learned not to make any major decisions or plans before my first cup of coffee. 

I have another morning ritual that is even more significant: I ask God’s Spirit to stream through me, to get me ready to do His will. I wait for His guidance. I pray for attentiveness, courage, and strength. On the days that I skip this practice, I can sense a spiritual somnolence. I remain unaware, distracted, busy--but achieving nothing of enduring value. Thus, I have learned not to make any plans or do any tasks until I have submitted myself to the Lord. 

“How enduring is God’s loyal love; the Eternal has inexhaustible compassion. Here they are, every morning, new! Your faithfulness, God, is as broad as the day. Have courage, for the Eternal is all that I will need. My soul boasts, ‘Hope in God; just wait.’” (Lamentations 3:22-24 NLT)