Stay the Course

"But I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God's grace."
Acts 20:24 (NRSV)

A few weeks ago I set out on what seemed to me on the map to be a short drive to support a colleague in ministry at an out of town preaching engagement. Let me preface this story by saying that I LOVE to drive so what some may consider a long drive, to me seems like a nice time to spend in solitude, riding, thinking, even communing with God. As I set out on the drive however, I didn't take into account the driving conditions that I would encounter while driving from one metropolitan area to another, a state away, during rush hour traffic. While on the map it appeared that the drive, which was less than 120 miles, should take me no more than than three hours driving the posted speed limit; when coupled with outgoing and incoming rush hour traffic and my unfamiliarity with the twists and turns of the trip, the journey took me closer to four hours to reach my destination. Yet I chose to persist to stay the course, even when I realized that the drive would take longer than anticipated, that I would likely arrive later than planned and would probably even become weary for the drive because I'd purposed in my heart that the staying the course was more fulfilling than abandoning the journey.

Where we are and where God has destined for us to be are quite likely not even remotely near one another. The journey may oftentimes be flooded with uncertainties, necessary modifications to the "planned" route, and even occasional, unanticipated disappointments and painful failures. Be not dismayed though, if you have faith in the One who sees the complete plan for your life, you should be encouraged to stay the course.

Believe it, love it, live it!