We have all been tempted to give up at something whether it be fitness, weight loss, education, job, or . . . you fill in the blank. If we are going to get anywhere in life, we cannot give up . . . no matter what it takes.
I came so close to giving up many times when I was in college. One of the most discouraging feelings is to reach your final semester of student teaching, and to finally wake up and realize that you don’t belong in a classroom after all! As disoriented as I felt during that entire semester, I made it through with the help of my amazing dormitory supervisor, my parents, a very close family friend who lived in the same town where I attended college, and . . . most importantly . . . God Himself. Not long after I completed my undergraduate degree, I started to see that my abilities don’t have to be limited to one area in life. I may not be teaching in a classroom, but God has given me so many opportunities to “teach” in ways I never imagined were possible. How incredible is that??!!
There are days when I get frustrated with running as well. My overall time may not be as fast as I want it to be, or I may get tired too quickly. No matter what the situation is, I keep reminding myself that everything in life is a learning experience. Life is a “classroom” of sorts. I fully believe that God uses everything in our lives to draw us to Himself and to make us more like Him.
In Genesis chapter 37 through the end of the book, we see how God had a few things He wanted to teach Joseph. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him. They knew that their father loved Joseph most, so they sold him as a slave to the Midianites. The Midianites then sold him as a slave to Potiphar who was one of Pharoah’s officers in Egypt. Joseph could have said something like “this is not fair”. He could have chosen to fight it . . . or, as some would say, “protest” . . . but he knew he was right where God wanted him at the time. Therefore, he did his very best at everything. He proved his worth to Potiphar, so Potiphar made Joseph head of everything in his house. Potiphar’s wife constantly tried to seduce Joseph, but Joseph refused her every single time. One day when Potiphar was out of the house, his wife tried to seduce Joseph again. In Genesis 39:9, Joseph said, “There is none greater in this house than I, neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife; how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Potiphar’s wife tried the same thing day after day, but Joseph still refused. Eventually, we read that she framed Joseph saying he tried to seduce her, so Potiphar threw him in prison. The Bible doesn’t say this, but I’m sure Joseph felt like giving up. He probably had times when he felt the weight of everyone . . . including his family . . . being against him. Let’s face it . . . he wasn’t perfect. I’m sure I would probably roll my eyes if someone in my family told me they had a dream that I was going to bow down to them! What Joseph did not know at the time was that God was using every circumstance in his journey to prepare him for something greater. In order for Joseph to ultimately be a leader in Egypt . . . he became second in command under Pharaoh . . . he had to learn to be a servant. God had to bring Joseph to the lowest place possible . . . a prison . . . to prepare him for his Divine Calling.
Whatever your current circumstance is, whether it be a fatal illness, a difficult job situation, a broken relationship that needs healing and restoration, claim the hope that whatever it is, God is using it to prepare you for what He has planned next for your life. No matter how difficult your current situation is, there is an overwhelming sense of peace and contentment that comes in knowing that you are right where God wants you for the time being. God will reveal His plans for you when and how He chooses to do so. When you look back at the end of your journey, you will stand in awe and thankfulness for everything He taught you along the way. Whatever happens, DON’T. GIVE. UP!! Keep moving onward and upward, always keeping your eyes on God.
Until next time . . . let’s keep on running!!
This Race Called Life 