My 1st. Blog

There is something inside me that screams, “Ray, this needs to be the best blog ever!”  I find that this fallacy of thought is quite common amongst people.  There is something inside everyone that seeks perfection.  Along with that goal comes a subtle compulsion of energy and a miraculous ability to achieve.    

On our first day of classes every semester, I see faces illuminated with ambition, as their thoughts are unquestionably the same: “ This is going to be a Good semester,” they utterly repeat to themselves.  After every two weeks of the New Year, lies someone defeated, as they could not accomplish their perfect year through the discipline of meeting a resolution.  Perhaps the beginnings of a new job, one’s work ethic is highly motivated and inspired, but when month three approaches, there becomes a sense of weariness. 

There is a momentum that often takes place in our lives.  This is the time in which we are encouraged and ready to tackle the world.  There is no stopping us!  Like anything else however, what comes up must come down.  We were not meant to bounce around on a series of cloud nine’s.  I would be remised if I assumed that a mountain top experience every ten minutes is what I deserve. 

If you surf through the history of the Israelites, you will discover an incredible amount of high’s and low’s.  The God of the universe intervened on behalf of His people and lead the Israelites out of Egypt.  Can you imagine the cheers and worship that God received from His people as they were walking across the read sea on dry land?  Only to become louder as the sea swallowed their enemies before their very eyes.  Despite this memorable occasion of God’s power, the momentum of the Israelites soon died.  Catch this, because when our gaze is away from Jesus, our sustainer, all that is seen is our present circumstances.  Those circumstances that were once perceived as “nothing” somehow transform into giant waves (Mat. 14:22-36) or in the Israelite’s case, miles upon miles of sand and little food.  We shift so easily, one moment we stand victoriously along side God and His power, the other we’re crushed and immobilized taking on everything ourselves.  The situation never changes, but our perspective is what tends to shift. 

            Throughout scripture we hear a consistent cry.  This plead is from our founding leaders such as Paul and Peter, who beg us to persevere!  It’s not going to be easy they say, our momentum is going to fade, our hope is going to be tested.  The author of Hebrews states:  

 “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.  For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

 

 ‘FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE,
         HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.

    BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH;
         AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.’

 

 ‘But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.”

                                                                                                Hebrews 10: 35-39

            Paul proclaims:

“ Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the Glory of God.  And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulations bring about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

                                                                                                Romans 5: 1-5

            There is peace between God and us.  The conflict is appeased.  Therefore, let us not get rid of our hope.  Let our hope carry us to the end.  As we persevere, as we finish, let us do so through a perspective that is locked on Jesus Christ, experiencing the Father’s powerful love, which concludes in a more effective hope.  A hope that will compel and drive us forward to face anything.  “Our past has been redeemed, our future is secure, therefore our present makes sense.” 

My goal is to not write the best blog ever.  That leaves me taking on more weight then I need too.  That would leave me in utter failure, as this would not be the best blog ever.  However, I am called to finish and finish well, seeing as how my grade depends on it. We are called to keep our gaze on Jesus, persevere to the end trying the best we can.