As one Grows in the truth, a realization dawns that one’s walk is filled with struggle and tribulation.
I remember when I first was baptized, my world was ablaze with my now confirmed faith and rebirth into Christ. I thought I could change the world just by touching it. I felt as though God had spent all this effort on me and I would not, could not, ever betray that love God had shown me.
That feeling quickly passed as I came to realize that as Jesus says, “the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matt. 7:14 RSV).
In the world around us, many people look to heroes for inspiration. These heroes come from many backgrounds and places. I find inspiration and strength from three places. The first place I find strength is through prayer. The second is from reading the scripture. The third place I find inspiration is from my fellow brethren.
There is a brother I know who has a disability which makes each and every day that you and I would consider normal a struggle. Yet every Sunday morning he is there.
Indeed our walk with God is full of struggles and challenges. In my struggles I look to that brother as an inspiration that I can make it. Also like Jesus did in the garden, I find strength through prayer. It was through prayer before I was baptized that I came closer to God because God was the only one I could turn to who could comfort me. Lastly, the scripture is the light that guides our feet on this walk. Without it, I know I could not step forward but would sit in the dark.
In your times of trouble, remember you are not the only one struggling. Turn to inspiration from those around you, and most importantly don’t be afraid to reach out to the One who can truly be with you. Try a simple prayer to God. Also, if there is no one you can see as an inspiration, look to the scripture. As Paul says in his letter to the Hebrews, “Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” Amen.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One