I almost gave up on this blog – but …

I just finished a half marathon last weekend, and although somewhat pleased with my time I began to think when I was around mile 11 that I had trained for 12 miles and not 13.1.  At about mile 12 I was ready to be done.  It was a beautiful spring morning, but I along with the other runners, had been battling the wind and temperatures about 20 degrees higher than I had been training in.   But I had trained, and I had been adding to my training all the necessary ingredients to make it to the finish line.  I wasn’t about to quit at mile 12.  I would finish the race. 

– for as we add to our faith, the next step is steadfastness:

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,  and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1: 5-8)

Steadfastness encompasses a lot of qualities – and giving up isn’t one of them.  It is being firm in belief, determined, constant, dedicated, and steady.  It is hanging in when the time gets tough.  It’s coming to grips that even though everything is not going according to MY plan, if I have been following HIS plan, God will see me through to the finish – and I will be successful. 

So if you’ve been following the Master’s training plan - trust your training – and add steadfastness to your faith along with self-control, knowledge, and virtue.

Yes, it’s been a while since I added to this blog, because some things have to be lived before they can be written about.  Life and work have been hectic lately and blogging has taking a back seat to other pressing matters – but consistency in prayer and being in God’s Word has not. 

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)

 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Run On!