What Did He Say?

One of the encouraging things that came across in his speech on endurance, was how focusing on Jesus would help us to endure.

It was particularly appropriate having heard about Jesus being the author and finisher of our faith. If we can focus on Him, He is sure to help us endure. He gives us an expectation and a reason to hope, because He is that reason. I love the imagery of being the author and finisher. He starts it, its His idea, it’s His story and He will finish it all off, even as He was able to finish the mission for which He was sent. In the same way as we are sent by Him to fulfil a life for Him that reveals Him to all so others can enjoy life in Him, so He will complete His work as we focus on Him.

Reflecting on that, got me thinking about why this month of this year is so significant for me.

Twenty years ago, I was struggling. Brought up in a Christian household, pledging commitment to follow Jesus in my teens I was now at university and struggling with faith. Struggling with faith and that affected my identity, my behaviour, my whole approach to life. I was in a tailspin.

Ten years ago, we were struggling. Brought together because of our love for Christ, we had pledged commitment to follow Jesus in this community of believers. Now, with young children in our charge and working out who we were together, it was tough. It affected our behaviour and approach to life. We were in a tailspin.

There’s been no tailspin for us this year thus far. It’s not to say we are immune to tailspins. It is to say that where we are now is because of key lessons learnt twenty years ago, ten years ago which has come together beautifully to guide us now.

Among those key lessons was a clear invitation to remember that our relationship was based on an ongoing dialogue. One in which key things are shared and said and can be used as touchstones on the journey. Wherever we go and in whatever we do, there is somewhere hanging the question: What did He say?

There are people who get hung up on certain words spoken to them about their destiny. They see the rich, famous and supposedly successful speak about how they made it and key tips to take on board. They hang on these words with tenacity, however hollow and superficial they turn out to be.

Looking to the author whose word is life, is a journey of hearing and recalling. Ever sensitive to understand and ever willing to have our lives shaped by the author of life knowing that progress is found there.

If His word makes the difference from life or death it’s important to look again at what He said. Hearing and living up to it – knowing the same author who instructs is the same author who gives the grace to follow through.

We can endure and enjoy – if we remember what He said.

(Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden