Keep Going

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! 1 Chronicles 16:11

I recently read The Comfort Book by Matt Haig, a compilation of thoughts and essays. In his essay, “the thing my dad once said when we were lost in a forest”, Matt shares that they couldn’t find their way back to the village in which they were vacationing (in France), and finally, after a bit of panic, his father said “If we keep going in a straight line, we’ll get out of here”. Matt shares that, of course, his father was right. Matt remembers this strategy when he is lost, figuratively or metaphorically, that to keep going forward will help get you to a better place.

In chapter one of From Daughters to Disciples (our current Wednesday morning bible study), we read that Mary continues to follow God’s instructions as her life turns upside down when she becomes pregnant with Jesus. In the book, the author says: “She trusted God enough to say yes to the first step, even though she could not anticipate everything that would happen in the future. She could say yes to God while having fears and questions.” We might say Mary kept going.

When I remember the days prior to and following my mother’s funeral, I think of how my family, including my father, kept going. I think we all felt a sense of God’s presence, calming us and just being with us in our grief.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your presence in our lives. Thank you for helping us to understand that with your guidance we can keep going. With your sense of peace, we can persevere. Even when life is messy and hard, we can keep going with you at our side to a better place. Amen.

Donna Gustafson