You may ask yourself this question. In biblical times, did the people who walked with God ever slip up? The answer is yes. They did because they sometimes became distracted and got off track. However, you can bet that when their feet hit the floor the next morning, they renewed their commitment and returned to walk with God throughout the day.
As humans, we are going to get distracted from time to time. There will be tough times that will cause you to wonder if the course that you are on is worth the toil and tribulation. Life will throw challenges your way, but faith in God can give you strength. Focus on his will and aim toward the goals that he has set for you.
The Biblical writer Paul said, “I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.” That means you must know the direction God is leading you in and stay in step with him, living in a way that reflects your calling and faith. As a part of humanity, your life shouldn’t be compartmentalized into what is sacred and what is secular.
The Reverend Jason Curry wrote that “he was blessed to have had the opportunity to be raised by someone who participated in the Civil Rights Movement.” He goes on to say that some people were concerned about their employment or their physical well-being if they participated in marches and other demonstrations. Nevertheless, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other leaders of the movement stayed the course. The leaders often heard the grumblings of their followers, however, they held on to their purpose.
This was similar to the Hebrew people who criticized Moses and wished that he had not freed them from slavery in Egypt. Moses listened but depersonalized their grumblings. Moses loved the people and cared for them in spite of their complaints. Moses prayed to God during his challenging, leadership experiences and God answered by meeting their needs to stay the course.
So, one of the most important questions you can ask yourself is this: Lord do my choices and ways please you? When you align your ways with his will, you’ll find yourself on the right path. You will recognize that his timing is always the right time, and the results you get are always the right results. So, stay the course God has set forth for you and Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!
By Dr. Walter Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net
