“I can’t do this! I just want to quit!” This is what I told the Lord as I trudged along on the treadmill.
Early in January, I had begun a journey toward better physical health. Now I had hit a wall. I hadn’t seen much progress in the past week or two. The treadmill at the hotel where we were staying was quirky and required frequent adjustments. As my frustration grew, I asked the Lord, “What’s the point?”
As if He owed me something, I reminded the Lord I was doing this for Him. He responded in His still, small voice, “You will reap a harvest if you don’t give up.”
Now, I know this is not the context in which the Apostle Paul penned these words in Galatians 6:9. But these words did lead me to reflect on the broader context of my life as I kept putting one foot in front of the other on that treadmill. The message of that passage is perseverance. It applies to all areas of life. In our instant, results-oriented society we often fail to embrace this truth.
I thought about the various things in which I was investing my time and energy. In several areas progress was slow and, at times, seemed to be moving backward. Still, I felt this nudge to keep going—both on the treadmill and in other areas of ministry.
I finished my workout. I was tired, but grateful for the Spirit’s encouragement. And God, in His loving way, put a smile on my face when I returned home to find the barrier broken and several pounds gone.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” — Written by Cindy Shuler, from the blog of Women of Grace USA