Notes on Hope Devotional — Grateful, yet Grieving

Endurance

(Taken from my devotional, Walking the Way, a 21-Day Devotional for walking the Camino de Santiago.)

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

My daughter completed her first half-marathon this week. I’ve watched, for the past three months, as she trained, conditioned, and stretched her sore muscles. Slowly, she built up her endurance from running 2 miles, then 4, then 6, and then finally 10 miles a week before the race. After her 10-mile run, she came into the house exhausted, sweating, and drained. She was building endurance so she could run the race.

Endurance comes at a cost. It’s only evident if there is an opportunity to see it develop under the necessary circumstances of a challenge. Endurance only shows up when we do something hard.

Back in the day, before cell phones, we had something called a Polaroid camera. You would take a picture, and immediately after, a squared paper popped out of the camera. Your picture would develop right before your eyes, slowly: black, then gray at first, then the shadows would appear, and then the entire frame of your photo would appear.

Endurance comes the same way. It slowly develops as we continue to walk, grow, and live out our faith in difficult circumstances. Is it possible that where you are today is building endurance in your life? Are you faced with a hard situation and can’t see beyond it? Little by little, your endurance will increase as you continue to trust, wait, hope, and depend on the Lord. Others are cheering us on to keep going and not give up. Stay the course, and God will faithfully help you endure.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for your strength, grace, and power to help us endure. You endured the cross, bearing our sin and pain. Help us not forget what You endured for us. Let us run the race of life with endurance, not to give up, but keep going, fixing our eyes on You, Jesus. Thank you.
In Your Mighty, Magnificent Name, Amen.