A pee-wee football team enthusiastically runs on to the field where a prominently-displayed, break-through banner is held in place by pee-wee cheerleaders. Rather than breaking through the banner, the team begins running around the banner and are urgently directed to correct their mistake. Half of the team changes course, heading back toward the banner. Likewise, those already past the banner immediately change their direction and head back toward the banner, only in the opposite direction, meeting teammates at the banner in a hilarious display of mass confusion. Just then, the coach throws down his hat in frustration and walks away.
Endurance has been described as “pushing through it” – “it” being whatever stands in the way of spiritual progress. “It” could be a trial or tribulation (Jas. 1:2-4; Rm. 5:3-5). For Jesus, “it” was the cross. We are exhorted to “lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and…run with endurance the race that is set before us…” (Heb. 12:1). We must “push through it.” We must not “grow weary” or “lose heart in doing good” (Gal. 6:10). Instead, in light of the coming resurrection, we must “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that [our] toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). We find strength to “push through it” by “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).
We must not sidestep the inevitable suffering which comes our way; but shoulder our burden with the help of God and our spiritual family (2 Tim. 3:12; Gal. 6:2, 5). Each “push through it” moment strengthens us for the next, building endurance and spiritual maturity (Jas. 1:2-4). Such opportunities come and go. But, once they have passed, we cannot “push through it” in the opposite direction and expect to receive the promised blessing. However, we can reset our course and prepare for the next “push through it” opportunity to build endurance and demonstrate our trust in God.
–Glen Elliott–