Day 29 - Keep Going

Did you ever start a project that became more and more overwhelming as the minutes passed – or the hours or the days or the weeks…?  Did you ever feel like just giving up – not continuing the journey?  I must admit I have had times like that and am working through a decision at this time.

I had my doubts about writing EVERY DAY for 31 Days!  I didn’t think I would actually accomplish it…writing for all those days!  Did I have the information I needed to post for that length of time?  Did I have the time to write a blog and post every day?  Well, the end is in sight and I am prepared for the final two days!  GOAL ALMOST ACCOMPLISHED!  (Please know this is not meant to be judgmental if you were not able to complete all 31 posts; this is how my personal journey was).

So…what about that one decision I am trying to work through?  If I can write on a single topic every day for 31 days, why is it I cannot stay focused on an online course that will prepare me to work another tax season?  What is holding me back?  Am I having doubts about why I even bother to try?  I know in my mind that the “extra” income will be a big help to our finances; so why?  What is standing in my way?

Proverbs 3:5-6 says:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek His will in ALL you do, and He will direct your paths.”  (I added the caps and bold on the word ALL for emphasis on the fact that we should seek His will in ALL…).

I know should not depend on myself, my own understanding; I should trust in the Lord.  I should seek His will in these choices I am attempting to make – on my own!  I should ask these questions of HIM rather than myself!

In Chapter 1 of the book “You’ll Get Through This”, Max Lucado says:  “You’ll get through this.  You fear you won’t.  We all do.  We fear that the depression will never lift, the yelling will never stop, the pain will never leave.  Here in the pits, surrounded by steep walls and angry brothers, we wonder, will this gray sky ever brighten?  This load ever lighten?  We feel stuck, trapped, locked in.  Pre-destined for failure.  Will we ever exit this pit?”  (The reference to the “pit” and “brothers” is to Joseph who was “favored by his father but hated by his brothers” in Genesis 37:3-4; and was sold into slavery in Genesis 37:12-36).

And in Chapter 6 of “You’ll Get Through This”, Max Lucado says:  “…What if you give up?  Lose faith?  Walk away?  Don’t.  For heaven’s sake, don’t.  All of heaven is warring on your behalf.  Above and around you at this very instant, God’s messengers are at work…Keep waiting.”

And to that I say…Keep Going!  Keep Writing!  Keep Learning!  Keep Doing…whatever it is that you feared you would not accomplish.  Because:

“Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”  (Isa. 40:31).

Once we have renewed our strength and had that little rest, taken that much-needed break – we can proceed with completing those projects that we once thought of giving up!  And what of that "project", that one "decision" I need to resolve?  Well, I am waiting on the Lord to lead me in that direction...waiting patiently for His Word!

My hope for your future is a “brighter tomorrow”:

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

The dark gray clouds slowly parted,

and the sun’s light shone through;

the rays spreading out over the city --

and the place where I was headed.

The certainty of the future

shining though the darkness of life.

In the darkest hour -- the deepest despair --

God brings sunshine out of the clouds...

And hope for a brighter tomorrow!

(Originally written 5/98)