Blogs

Living in Tenacious Resolve
How many of you feel like your life is bouncing out of control? Do you sense that you are in free-fall with no ripcord for the parachute of life? A dear friend and brother gave me a medallion to remind me of “tenacious resolve”. It has the words “finish strong” inscribed on it. I keep it in a place where I will see it often. I don’t know about you, but I need reminders. God is great about giving us sign-posts and reminders. There are always little, and even big reminders along life’s path---they are there to show us that he is still our strongest encourager.
Here is one of my favorite “tenacious resolve” Scriptures: “Therefore, we do not lose heart.” “So we are not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, The Message.
We are prone to loosing heart and giving up without this level of regular encouragement. It’s bad enough without negative reporters, naysayers, critics, and discouragers. They seem to abound the harder circumstances become. Which am I-a spiritual cheerleader or “frump grump”? Never heard of a “frump grump”? They only prognosticate on how much worse it’s going to get.
So, what do we do with all the evidence of things seeming to fall apart around us? First, resolve not to ever give up! It’s just not an option. With that “tenacious resolve” you will not lose heart. Once you lose heart-it is easy to become overwhelmed to the point of seeing only the negative and missing all the positive signs around you.
Next, focus your heart attention on the wonderful work of grace unfolding inside of you. God’s grace always unfolds before us—moving us forward to our expected end of Christ likeness. Equally his grace folds up behind us. That is to dissuade us from trying to go back to some elusive time that seemed better. Today and tomorrow are the most promising times in our life. Even if yesterday was terrific—the future in him is the best!
And then, always keep your spiritual compass on true north—the third heaven. Don’t ever, for one moment, think that the coming blessing of being with “them” for all eternity is not worth every difficulty in the “now”. Everything in this life really is “small potatoes” compared to the eternal celebration that is coming!
The lasting value of what he is accomplishing in the present trials and tribulations of our lives are treasures for us to be discovering forever. We are on an exciting treasure hunt with only the most precious of jewels to be found. And we are “jewels from the devils junkpile” amassing incredible crowns to throw at the feet of Jesus! He is the crowning jewel. Hang in there! Be nurtured by “tenacious resolve”.
In the grip of Papa’s unfolding grace! Ron Ross