Live for the Fight
Do everything you can to stand firm. That’s the teaching of Scripture. The Christian life is likened to a long distance race, warfare, wrestling, even boxing in Holy Writ. A flash-in-the-pan won’t make it- you’ve got to be good for the long term. And there are some who fight tougher foes and have longer struggles than others. It’s hard to judge another man’s servant, so the Bible says not to do it. Some will reap the rewards of victory in this life and some in the life to come. Faithfulness is a lesser used virtue because following Christ does not always bring immediate gratification.
I know there are many definitions of success, but we get philosophical when the usual ones don’t fit. Not that that’s wrong. It’s just that we’d like to have recompense in the earth a little more often. Some seem to be doing fairly well, but it’s hard to sell a struggle with no belt in sight to most. Perhaps, the philosophical definitions are best because they keep us on task, and they are consistent for everyone. So, do everything you can to be steadfast, and let the work- the struggle- be you reward. Live for the fight when the fight’s all you’ve got. And remember to live by prayer.
For warriors on the spiritual path, it’s not all blood and guts. There are the indescribable attributes of the relationship with Christ that give meaning to life when the work seems to outweigh the rewards. Peace is not a light thing. Having an impact on eternity eludes the most satisfied with worldly compensation. Don’t get so tired of trying that you give up in exhaustion. You need rest, but the battle never rests. Give it your best shot. You will look back one day and see that your contributions were not in vain. We are closer to eternity than we think- many of us are more than halfway there.
Never quit. When we stop doing things in difficulty (I’m generalizing here), we can set ourselves on a path for future let-downs. There is a difference between re-tooling and quitting, but, if we’re not careful, after awhile, we’ll just become quitters. If we don’t develop resolve, we will always disappoint ourselves and others. Let me encourage you to stay with the task. Do everything you can to stand firm. You’ll develop a reputation and a testimony that will outlive you and, perhaps, serve as a source of inspiration for other travelers. I hope you have much more than the fight, but it’s a good fight.
Paul called it the good fight of faith- a calling testified by many witnesses. By faith you can live forever, and by faith your contributions will never die. What you are and what you do are important. I’ve questioned validity, direction and calling on many blind nights, but the clear light of day always reveals the promises of God. Men and women have committed their lives to running, wrestling and fighting. They are doing it for a crown that will not last, but Christ-followers are competing for a crown that will last forever. Stand fast. Ages hence, you will be glad you did.
Sterl
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