Endurance and Encouragement

Endurance and Encouragement “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves …” (Romans 15 vs. 5) Instant gratification is something that we always seem to want and often expect. We have national lotteries around the world and people become instant winners. (They may have played for twenty years!) The desire is clear, we want what we want when we want it! If that is where you are at in your life, you need not read any further today. That is not my message! Paul’s message to the Romans is about endurance and encouragement; two things given to us through our faith and prayers that will make us successful. There will be no lightning bolt that makes us winners. In the years that June and I were associated with my son’s music business we dealt with hundreds of starry eyed musicians who were waiting for their big break. Some actually made it, but all that did, earned it. The ones that worked at it 24/7; the ones with undying passion for writing and performing; those who were too serious about it to enjoy the party atmosphere were the successful ones. In our own lives we need to endure. Life is not a sprint, it is more like a marathon and there are no days off. We will feel weary and need encouragement. We need a place that we can find the encouragement; we have it because God is with us. We do need to reach out and grab it through prayer. Thought for Today: Today let’s think who we could reach out to for encouragement; our pastor, significant other, child, bartender. There is always someone. Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, we thank you for your support and pray that we can let you in when we are tired. Amen