Move in accordance with Hebrews 12:1.
A wrong mindset, fear, and filling an open space solely reserved for God with things cause us to sit stuck. When we sit, we miss out on the blessings and the beautiful things the Lord has already prepared for us. Yes, even in the preparation, there will be hard times and suffering. But guess what? We push through by leaning in (abiding), not by complaining. Complaining is the wrong way to move. And we don’t do it by sitting. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28 to come and receive proper rest. When we are stuck, we have to move. The first step is to go to Him, who provides that rest. And, when you have rested, guess what? You can move!
The other point about moving is this: How are you moving? Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness), stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,” (AMP, emphasis mine).
The key phrases that pop out are run with endurance and active persistence. Some of us are stuck in fear, a wrong mindset, or a misapplication of the Word. As a result, we sit because of the distraction that fears (you fill in the blank) caused. We sit because we are afraid of rocking the boat even though we know God told us to do so. When we are stuck, we sit. Paralysis sets in. We are immobile in thought, in a word, and in performing a deed. As a result, we miss out on the blessings and all the beautiful things the Lord has already prepared us for and prepared for us.
But we are to move in our faith journey toward that prize that awaits us. How? With endurance and active persistence.
Persistence is defined as a firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action despite difficulty or opposition. Wow! Did you catch that last part? … despite difficulty or opposition? Don’t you know that Satan aims to entangle, to divide, to oppose you so that you fall into his trap? Well, it could be that you don’t know based on the evidence of the fruit being manifested from you, or lack thereof. Because you choose to sit stuck rather than stand. I tell you, stand so that you may see the goodness of the Lord. Stand so you may feel the shackles begin to fall. Stand so you may taste all that the Lord has already given you. Stand and begin to declare His promises over your life. Humble yourselves before the Lord. Resist the devil so that he flees from your presence. Because your presence also encompasses the presence of the Holy Spirit. And, when you have activated its power through the persistence of prayer and obedience, you can then run in power with endurance.
And when you are low in spirit and strength and don’t know the words to pray – because we all get low sometimes – you know the Spirit groans on your behalf. Open your heart, open your mouth, and speak what the Spirit says. DON’T JUST SIT THERE! It may start as a simple “Thank you, Jesus.” It may begin as a melodic song of praise coming from your lips. And then the floodgates will open as your standing has led you to walk, run, and even perhaps jump and dance because you chose to endure. You decided to persist. You chose to fight in fear and trembling because you understand finally that He never fails, He never forsakes. His promise is great over you. You decided to abide, hide, rest, wait, draw strength, and trust in Him.
As the lyrics to “Mvini” attest, remain in Him so that you are continually strengthened to endure.
Mvini owonawona
Mvini owonawona
(True vine)
Sizohlala Kuwe
(We will abide in You)
Sizozifihla Kuwe
(We will hide in You)
Persistence in prayer, power (from the Spirit, not our effort), and patience.
Persistence in Prayer. Persistence in Power. Persistence in Patience. That’s all!
#faithfulmelodies, #abideinHim, #wewillworship, #endureandpersist