Today, in celebration of my daughter’s 18th birthday, I want to share some of the things that inspire me about her life. In her young life she has endured great trials and has triumphed in living as a result. She has a tenacity which defies her natural ability. She has the ability to overcome adversity because she is a fighter, strong and courageous. Her living inspires me to push harder and dig deeper, not allowing excuses to entrap me in the life of ‘if-only’.
It is sometimes easy for us to parallel the lives of the Biblical heroes and heroines to the people in our own daily living. I can look at those who worship with reckless abandon and am reminded of David’s carefree heart of love for His God. I see the faithful, tried and true, soldiers-of-faith who endure and stay steadfast on the journey and remember Abraham’s faithfulness, this friend of God. I see others who are ambitious and willful, kind-hearted yet without a filter, and I am reminded of Peter, the rock of the early Church, with impulsive obedience raw and edgy. I am reminded of Sara’s laughter, held with a tinge of bitterness at her lack of unbelieving, and yet, still, God revealed himself to her in a marvelous manifestation of miracle working power when I look at the walls we often put up to shield our hearts from hoping too hard or leaning to close to those dreams. I see the broken shell of humanity in so many of the wandering pilgrims who are holding onto the thread of a dream which may only be rooted in unrealistic goals or unmet desire.
Looking well into God’s Word, which draws us on…, I can see and even ‘hear’ the sound of the crowd rooting above, a sound which can dispel the dreary and break forth into a chorus of encouragement. I am encouraged by this promise of hope. A hope-promise which covers the broken image of the world with the resurrected promises, which are yes and amen, we find as we abide In Christ. As I think of my daughter and her future I am also reminded that the days ahead, In Christ, looks vastly different than the future the world and its contemporaries would paint for her.
….a future full of hope….
…a future full of promise
….a future filled with the goodness which is only found in Christ
~because He has already run the race and obtained the victory both for her and for YOU!
We believe beyond the reasonable, because we have confidence in the One who establishes eternity in our hearts. We have Hope, in abundance, because we know the source of that hope; the beauty of this revelation is often lost when we focus on the trial instead of the lesson we should learn. When you know the source, you also know the fullness of that truth. When we remember that we are never running this race alone, we can endure, life’s transient troubles and go forward with a joyful countenance. Take a moment to let it sift into your heart. Rejoice in the race. The hard straining, and sometimes, painful work it takes to participate in the event of life does not have to steal the joy in the journey.
The TRUE source of Hope is everlasting, from beginning to end, knowing no boundaries.
If this is true, (and it is), what is going to stop you from pressing on and pressing upward in your life, despite the circumstances that you are, at present, experiencing. Nothing should ever hold you back from running headlong into the arms of grace which has promised the power to overcome the world. ( 1 John 4:4)
Be Encouraged.
Be Confident.
Be Bold!
Hebrews 12:1 -2~ Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Some days it may feel like you are running this race alone, but be encouraged.. you have a great cloud of witnesses rooting you on.
Some days you find you have no idea how to take the next step, but be confident… look to Jesus who has endured and conquered for you.
Some days the world is closing in, but be bold… RUN the race of faith and be changed from glory to glory as you step out and venture on.
Today I challenge you to be encouraged to pray boldly and confidently to the One who is waiting at the finish line, standing tall and strong with the great cloud of witnesses rooting you on!
~For my sweet, strong, and courageous girl.. Happy Birthday! I love you so very much.
Do you have a bold prayer request? Are you persevering in faith, but fee like wavering? I would love to pray for and with you. May the true comforter guard and guide you as you run the race of faith.
Share your prayer requests in the comment section below, or email me at dawnboyer@journeysingrace.com.
