I've taken to running three times weekly. And, no, those legs on the right are not mine! My route is closing in on four miles. When I was in the Army it was like pulling teeth to get me to run the two miles required. That was about 50 pounds ago, by the way...when it would have been much easier! Now, I'm approximately 20 years older and suddenly able to do such a thing. Is it the ability to do it or the willingness coupled with the endurance to keep it up?
Endurance is an interesting issue. As I was running this morning, there's a long stretch of road with a slight incline that is the end of my route. It requires some endurance to keep going because my breath grows faster and more labored and my muscles are wearing out. "Maintain a tight, proper form - keep your eyes up." These things I remind myself.
Endurance requires faith. Faith that sees the run OVER ALREADY! :-) Faith that sees pounds coming off, a healthy heart, feeling better physically over all. Faith "sees." It sees a preferred future - ah, now that's "vision." Proverbs says that "without vision people cast off restraint." Trust me, if I can't "see"[vision] I can't "believe" [faith] and hence I cannot "endure." See how one fuels the other?
"Do not become weary in doing well, for in the right season you will reap the reward if you don't give up." Do you see endurance, faith and vision in that verse in Galatians 6:9?
How about Hebrews? 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [VISION], let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us [ENDURANCE AGAINST THE FLESH], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith [FAITH/VISION], who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God[ENDURANCE ILLUSTRATED AND VISION]. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls [THE RESULT OF NOT ENDURING].
Whatever you're pursuing today, don't give up. Don't stop praying, believing (faith-ing), working - don't stop! You can stop once you enter Heaven's Gates to hear, "well done, my good and faithful servant." One last Scripture?
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
