Take the "I" Out of Ruin

"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."

Matthew 24:13

I've lived long enough to know that a can of microwaved soup doesn't taste as well as a bowl of low and slowly cooked, fresh garden veggies and broth. Can I get an amen?

We live in a microwave society where we want everything easily and instantly, don't we? We pull up to an ATM and get cash instantly, we send a quick text from our cell phones instead of mailing a letter, and desire easy weight loss without eating right and exercise. Microwave...instant potatoes, grits and popcorn.

We are spoiled...almost ruined.

Since I was a child, I've heard the illustration about giving a person a fish to eat versus teaching him to fish. The truth is, when we have to work for something or wait for it, we appreciate it much more and take better care of it. True story! Think about this: a first car given to teenager by parents or that same car purchased by same teenager with a first job. Another illustration: a young man walks into business and is hired as lead supervisor without any experience versus hiring that same young man and allowing him to work his way up the ladder until he reaches that destination. I'd say he would be much more suited for the job and to lead people effectively at that point than if he had just been handed the title without putting forth effort. Truly, that is setting someone up for failure! Ruin.

Our walk with God is much the same. We start our walk with Him as spiritual babes. Our faith is grown - it doesn't just pop out of the proverbial microwave, buttered and ready to eat. Our trust and many other things in Him have the same concept applied and is developed through time and effort on our part. We don't just arrive into the Kingdom spiritually mature and ready to slay giants; even young David learned to kill a lion and bear before he ever slayed Goliath. We do our part and He’ll do the rest.

Our walk with the Lord is likened to a race in the New Testament. We don't earn a trophy just for participating, it says we must run and endure to the end. Remember the scripture about having fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith? Endure means we've carried on despite hardships; we've survived the potholes, learned lessons from the hard stuff, persevered and strived until we’ve reached the goal we had in mind.

We recently added a fur-baby to our family. A four-month old Shorkie we named Soffie Joy. She is so much fun and we enjoy cuddling and playing with her. However, she didn't come fully potty-trained. Can I just say that I wish she would've came to me that way so I didn't have to struggle with this part? Who likes that part anyhow? My sweet hubby keeps telling me it will happen in time - patience and perseverance. It's so much easier to say than to do! I get so frustrated and want to quit, but that's part of having a puppy, isn't it? Can't have your cake and eat it too - and puppies aren't suppposed to go in the microwave either.

If you’re struggling today or discouraged and weak in your spiritual life, take heart and know it’s okay. You’re NOT hopeless or ruined! We’re all very human and have down times. The important thing is that we just don’t quit! Wherever you find yourself, simply get up or turn around and begin heading toward the One who is the rewarder of them who diligently seek Him. Don’t expect instant results and for everything to be hunky dory, but you can depend upon being instantly heard. You’ll definitely have God’s attention! Begin to give it your best effort again and in time you’ll be running again, my friend. You can finish the race well. Don’t lose heart!

Whether it's training a puppy, making soup or living for God, a microwave mentality can easily set us up for failure mode. It’s not a true walk with the Lord if we don’t have trouble running occasionally! Continue running though. Don't settle for RUIN! We, left to ourselves, always make a mess of things. Take the "I" out of RUIN and just keep running, because we can do ALL things through Christ which gives us strength.

Jesus is coming soon!!!