By Mark Maher
Ernest Hemingway once wrote: “The hardest lesson I have had to learn as an adult is the relentless need to keep going, no matter how broken I feel inside.”
Christ advised us, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” (John 16:33) Yet, you do not go through your valleys alone. “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.” (Psalm 23:4)
We often go through the valley before we come out on the other side. Have you lost your fire at times but you still hung onto your faithfulness and then in time your obedience found its passion again and now you’re at a higher level than when you started.
The writing of devotional books has long been a test on faithfulness. At times, I’ve lost my fire, and God has tested my faithfulness and then through weathering that season I came out with a different resolve for the upcoming season. When I’ve lost the fire, God has provided a new system, new ideas, changes to the systems of writing (used to be one topic a day).
In God’s economy, through faithfulness, in due time, we tend to level up. Through consistency, through never giving up, God equips, and new systems take over for older ones and we’re more productive and efficient for Christ.
The passion is still high so I’ve gained the revelation that if you just hold onto your faithfulness, God will take it to another level as we will go from “strength to strength,” (Psalm 84:7) and “glory to glory.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths.” Arnold Schwarzenegger
This is why we must keep our hope in Him. We trust His promises and especially while we’re in the valley. We keep walking through it by faith until we get to the other side and then we have gained a testimony. He was “with me in the brokenness.” (Psalm 34:18) He’s still with me. Circumstances don’t always change, but a depth is acquired that can only be obtained through process, through weathering of storms, and “listening to His voice.” (John 10:27)
God wants you to take your gifts and multiply them. He wants you to use what you’ve got to give Him the glory. “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21) The call is to take your talent and multiply it, to allow your faith to flourish, to share the good news, to grow the kingdom, to be a good friend, to sharpen each other, and to “not forget to meet with other people as some are in the habit of doing.” (Hebrews 10:25) To keep the faith. “To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust Him in the dark – that is faith.”
Charles Spurgeon
Stay consistent. “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) Trust God and see where that takes you. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) “Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.” Angela Duckworth
1. Where in your life have you noticed that if you stuck with a system and you were faithful that God increased your abilities and changed the way you did things and made it way better than when you first started, “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)?
2. We all go through many seasons, and this too shall pass. I found consistency to be a key to God’s purpose, and that reminds me so much of faithfulness. Faithfulness is one of the nine fruits to the spirit. Why is faithfulness so key in our faith walk?
3. God is the master builder. He has plans for your life. Listen to that small voice and follow it with passion, consistency, and striving to never quit. What’s one area that you could start today and keep striving to improve through God’s grace and strength?
