In the End

Stay in the journey.

This is a phrase I have heard my mentor and friend, Monty, say a lot over the years since I’ve known him. I {pretty much} knew what it meant, but I never really knew exactly what it meant to him. But in the 10 years he’s been speaking truth into my life, I’ve never known Monty to ever say anything non-weighed or short of purposeful. So I knew it held significance.

Over yesterday’s lunch he explained himself.

He was talking to a group of us about how he, at one point in his life, felt stuck. His circumstances weren’t cooperating with his desires or needs, and he was left to drill down and dig deep to sort things out: two things that are usually about as fun as the root canal they represent.

As in typical Monty fashion, he began to get creative with this struggle. He knew that there were many things he could not control or make happen. But he also knew that there were some things he had the power to change. With that thought in mind, he decided to go on a Biblical word search of sorts – to choose some words in the Word to study and dedicate himself to implementing in his life. To get started, he chose the word, “faithfulness.”

Thus began his pursuit of a spiritual discipline most of us want, love the idea of, and bumble over, all at the same time.

Because remaining faithful to God is hard, sometimes.

We pray and in 3 days do not see results, and we question His level of care for us.

Or…we struggle and think there is something He should do about it, since He’s the One who is supposed to save.

But as Monty pointed out, “faithfulness” has delayed spiritual rewards – it’s the one thing {besides judgment} that the Word says will be given its proper result later. It’s not instant, which is why we bumble over it. We’re used to getting what we want right here, right now. And that plays into our view of God and what we think He should do for us – a little like instant oatmeal.

After this conversation, I thought about me. Today, I wonder about you.

Are you staying in the journey? Or are you bailing because things are a little tougher than you prefer?

The encouragement I offer you in this post is something of only 4 words. But please know that though it may be short and to the point, it is anything but simple.

See your commitment through.

Even when you don’t feel like it. Even when it doesn’t seem to make sense. And despite the fact that you can’t yet feel the fullness of having God find you faithful. Not now. Not yet.

But that day will come. And though I have no clue exactly what that specific reward will be, I have every belief that it will be well worth it. God doesn’t do anything second class.

So…stay in the journey, friends. Drill down, dig deep and believe the promise of God.

See your commitment through. Stay the course. Remain faithful.

II Samuel 22:26: “To the faithful you show yourself faithful…”