The Founder

Hebrews 12 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, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

What motivates us to endure hardship?

Sometimes there is no choice. You are faced with a difficulty and there is no other choice but to endure. A death. An illness. Some things must be endured.

But what I am interest in is people who endure hardship when there is a choice; people who choose to endure for Christ.

This is an area that the Lord is having me focus on in my own life. It is a part of the gardening process what we are working through.

So we invited an overcomer for dinner last night. Haley is my daughter and she is very young in physical years but she is also a mentor for me. To me, she is a wise old soul in the way of faith. So I posed this question to her, What causes you to stay faithful and obedient to your calling for Christ when it goes against what you want; against your flesh: For instance, your choice to remain pure sexually until marriage. What held you steady?

One idea that she spoke to specifically was keeping your perspective; seeing everything in the light of eternity. For instance, Esau trading his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew. In his time the birthright was everything to a man. It was not only his inheritance, it gave him the larger part of everything that was given to the family and it gave him authority over all his siblings in all areas. And because he was famished with hunger he satisfied his immediate physical desire and gave away his eternal inheritance, all for a bowl of stew. A very high price for instant gratification.

And suddenly the Helper brings this verse to my mind....Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of God.

He set the example for us to follow. He perfected it.

And so He speaks to my heart.....Your life matters, Connie. Your decisions matter for eternity. Do not trade your future, your birthright, for a bowl of stew. Endure. If you could see what is waiting, if you could see how much it means, if you could keep your eyes on Me....you could endure. Just follow Me. Trust Me. Look to Me. I will be all that You need. Your every desire will be met in Me. You will drink from Me and never thirst again. I will hold you together. I will sustain you.