13/08/2015
LOOK BEYOND THE BUS STOP
From Hebrews 12:1, we understand that a race has been set befor us as Christians. We did not initiate the race, but our decision to follow Jesus Christ automatically signed us in as partakers. Moreover, this race is an unsual marathon. If you lack patience, you cannot only be wasting your time, because God will not redesign the race for you; rather, you are the one who needs to adjust to His programme.
The Christian life is a process and not a single event. As a process, you are expected to move from one state to another. You must be like a traveller who goes from one bus stop to another, continuing his journey until he reaches his final destination. In the course of the journey, you may be required to stop over at the bus stop of lack. This is meant to test your faith and ability to trust God for provision. No matter how long you stay there, never turn that bus stop into your destination. God may allow you to stop over at the bus stop of ridicule, to test whether you will continue the race in spite of belittlement. Those with overinflated egos and those who hold themselves in high esteem may have problems here. Do you know that some people have called off their trip to Heaven just because they were mocked, ridiculed and laughed to scorn? Never truncate your journey to heaven because of any unpleasant experience of this race also went through this bus stop. People mocked him and seriously ridiculed Him, but He overcame it all with the weapons of prayer, patience and quietness, and he focused on the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). How you see the race that is set before will definitely affect your attitude to it. While many people see what is before as a worrisome race, Jesus saw the same as a joyous event. Therefore, one way you can run this race victoriously is by ignoring the challenges on the way and focusing on the rewards that await you on the other side. If your heart is on what you will receive in heaven, you will not turn your bus top into a destination by building a tent there. How are you handling this race? After the present unpleasant experiences comes the glorious, eternal experience of joy, awaiting you on the other side. Don’t miss out on it!
