In For the Whole Distance

[S] Isaiah 57:10 --
    ¹⁰"You were tired out by the length of your road,
         Yet you did not say, 'It is hopeless.'
         You found renewed strength,
         Therefore you did not faint.

[O] The road of following Christ was not meant to be a walk in a park as Jesus tells us to take up my own cross and follow Him daily (Luke 9:23).  In fact, at times even in the midst of the joy of seeing lives transformed and lost souls finding God's grace and love, I feel tired and wearied and the road seem just endless without the "light at the end of the tunnel."  It's at times like these my original vision and commitment is tested to either give up (or retreat with discouragement and hopelessness) or find renewed strength in Him.  I am reminded of David a simple boy who took five smooth stones to go up against Goliath.  He knew from the beginning he may have to go the full distance to take down Goliath by preparing himself with five stones not just a couple which would be too little and not a bag-full because that would slow him down.  God allowed His strength and power to work through the first stone David flung at Goliath but David's preparedness impresses me and encourages me to do just that.

[A] What was my commitment and preparedness when I entered into initiating the new small group ministry at my church?  Was it based on some "successful" metrics or was it founded in the strength of God which will funnel the renewed strength in my life as I hit the challenges in carrying out this ministry?  I need to go to the foot of His Cross to renew my strength to stand up and not "faint."

[P] Heavenly Father, may Your awesome strength sent to us through the Holy Spirit and the Cross Jesus bore permeate through my life, especially now, to carry on the small group ministry that You desire to establish at our church.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.