We Don't Know What To Do, But Our Eyes Are On You (2 Chronicles 20:12)

Do you ever ask “how much more Lord?,” because I’m barely treading water now. Then the WORST of the worst happens, and you think “what now Lord?”

This morning I awoke in the wee hours and immediately became angry because I was awake so early on a day that I can typically sleep in, until I need to get ready for church. As I cleared the cobwebs and grabbed my coffee, my intentions were to spend time with the Lord. However, I got a FB notification and wasted the next few minutes, that I can never get back, comparing my life to those on FB. I thought, “wow, I wish I had that,” and “isn’t that nice” (sarcastically said), and “good for them,” when in reality I was jealous. The Holy Spirit quickly reminded me that I was heading down the bitter road of ungratefulness.

I repented and thanked Him for being The One who understands and comforts me in my emotional state, but challenges me at the same time to not become consumed with self and circumstances, which may cause me to miss the opportunities to see His mighty hand at work. He also brought to mind just a few of the ways He has provided over these past difficult months. Chad and I have never had to worry about where our next meal would come from or how we would pay rent, or how to afford gas for our cars to get to work, like so many of the families I work with. Sure there have been “wants” that we’ve had to pass over, but The Lord has faithfully provided for every need.

As I thanked The Lord for being so good to us, He brought to mind Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, The Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (emphasis added).

He calls us to run with endurance, not just jog half heartedly, which sets us up to fall prey to tempting distractions, but rather, RUN WITH ENDURANCE. Webster’s definition of endurance is 1) the ability to withstand hardship or adversity, the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity, a marathon runner’s endurance, and 2) the act of an instance of enduring or suffering endurance of many hardships.

2020 has definitely felt like an uphill marathon runner’s race for sure, but we are called to not lose heart, which is definitely easier said than done. Even as I’m typing this I can feel the overwhelming sense of despair overpower my thoughts as I think about my to-do list for next week. I wish I could just stay here in my little cocoon, go back to bed, pull the covers over my head, and never have to face the outside. However, I know that God has more for me than this. At this time I choose to run with endurance the race that is set before me. I choose to remember that He is for me and not against me. I choose to turn my eyes to Him. I choose to remember who I am in Christ Jesus. I choose to remember Him.