Campus Christian Fellowship of Northeast State

Campus Christian Fellowship of Northeast State Campus Christian Fellowship provides opportunities for students and employees to be encouraged, uplifted, challenged and pointed to Christ.

CCF advisors: Cathy Phillips, [email protected] and April Allen, [email protected].

“When Words Aren’t Enough” Ugghhhh. There comes a point when mere words are not enough. They’re not enough to wipe away ...
09/30/2024

“When Words Aren’t Enough”

Ugghhhh. There comes a point when mere words are not enough. They’re not enough to wipe away flowing tears. They can’t mend a broken heart; comfort a grieving soul; heal an ailing body; encourage the downtrodden or motivate the discouraged. As much as I, someone who loves words hates to admit, it’s true. Sometimes words are just that, words.

However, some words, when directed toward the right Person, are life changing. Life-changing because they leave this mortal, quickly fading earth, take wings, and fly into heaven’s realm of glory. They desperately depart from lips and land oh-so-perfectly on the Father’s heart. This is when words become more than enough because they’re right where they should be, in the Father’s hands. The hands that created heaven and earth. The hands that formed you and me. The hands that make all things new. The hands that are holding us and will never let go. The hands that can comfort the hurting; heal the sick; mend the broken hearts. The hands that bottle up every tear we've ever and will ever shed.

I wish using words in the right way could solve everything. Oh, they do make a difference, I don’t doubt that for one minute. But many times, if not all the time, our words need a heavenly boost. A powerful force to influence our words, thoughts, desires, cares, and needs and turn them into action-packed, life-changing prayers.

Words without substance, without care, without prayer are not as powerful as those covered in prayer. They make a difference, yes, but not like the difference my Father makes when He acts on behalf of our petitions. When He steps in, everything changes. What once looked hopeless now has a ray of hope. What once seemed impossible becomes probable. A grieving, hurting heart receives comfort. A person’s declining health is healed. A destitute soul receives restoration. A wayward wanderer is given direction. A restless individual receives peace. The unloved are loved. The tired and weary are restfully restored. The lost are found. The weak are strengthened. Visions, goals, hopes, dreams are renewed. The petitioners are encouraged and overjoyed. Lives are changed. People are blessed. All because of what God does with the words uttered to Him.

I try to use my words to uplift and encourage others but sometimes that’s not enough. I find my words are used best when they’re lifted to heaven, talking to my Father on others' behalf. As of late, my heart has been so heavy with all those who are hurting around us, I don't even have words. But I know God hears my heart. He hears the words I can't even utter. The words stuck behind the lump in my throat, unable to get out. He hears and understands those words too.

Sometimes words are just that, words. But our words become so much more when we speak to them to our heavenly Father. Otherwise, our words of comfort, encouragement, and hope can seem empty. But God will fill them with His power, love and grace.

There are so many needing help right now it's hard to know where to start. One place we can always start, and should always start, is with prayer. It's more than hoping and wishing. Prayer is talking to the God who listens. So, let's take our words, give them wings and send them to heaven on others' behalf, to the God Who can handle and help us all. He is able to do what we can't - use words to change the world, to change your world! Because when words are not enough God is.

"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I." (Psalm 61:1&2)

“Step by Step”Has God ever called you to do something that doesn’t make a bit of sense and leaves you scratching your he...
09/23/2024

“Step by Step”

Has God ever called you to do something that doesn’t make a bit of sense and leaves you scratching your head? That to the world would seem as bizarre as Noah building an ark before anyone had even heard of rain? That what He’s calling you to do is crazy?

That’s me. God plainly told me to take a specific step that leaves me with a lot of questions. Questions like, “Okay…But what’s next?”
And, “What happens between here and the not yet?”
“How do I get from here to there?”
And, “Where/what, exactly, is “there”?”

When God told me the big step He wanted me to take, I had complete peace. Still do! How could I not when He reassured me seven times in a matter of hours? Even Gideon didn’t need that much confirmation. But God knew I did. However, I must admit while I have peace about the very next step, I have angst about the ones to follow. I want to know what steps two through ten are too and how all this is going to play out. I want to know what the staircase looks like; how steep/narrow it is, and how many flights of stairs there are. But then it hit me, I can’t take the tenth step until I take the first, and I’ll only get there one step at a time.

My questions are still unanswered at the moment. Well, they haven’t been specifically answered. But God has reminded me over and over that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

So, then I had to ask myself, “Where’s the faith in knowing what’s next?” “Where’s the faith in taking the steps I can see?” “Where’s the faith in playing it safe?” Nowhere.

Faith isn’t safely taking the next step because the next nine are visible. Faith is stepping out of the boat onto the water, no solid ground or sure footing in sight. It’s trusting God is ordering and directing each step even when I don’t understand. (Proverbs 16:9; Psalm 37:23) Faith is resting in God’s peace, only focusing on the step in front of me, and letting God “worry” about the next ones. Faith is believing in the good things to come from a good God with a good plan.

This faith thing pretty much just means we’re on a need-to-know basis. I don’t know where step ten is going to land me yet, because I’m still in the process of completing step one. Therefore, I don’t know need to know at this time. God knows step one is a lot for me to process and work through by itself. If He were to give me His ten-step plan as I would like, I may never take the first step. Because knowing all that would probably overwhelm and stress paralyze me. Not because it’s bad. But because it would just be so much to comprehend, leaving me with even more questions.

Life is filled with opportunities to take steps of faith. To move forward in a direction, we never thought we would, walking away from what we thought would always be. It’s intimidating and nerve-wracking. We want to stay in our safe little bubbles, aka, comfort zones. But comfort doesn’t build strength. Playing it safe doesn’t increase faith. Taking it one faith-step at a time, does. Before we know it, we’ll be looking back from step ten with amazement. In the meantime, let’s trust God day by day, step by step. You’ve heard of two-stepping. Well, how about we do some faith-stepping? Stepping out in faith one step at a time. Because God knows sometimes that’s literally all we can take. But, by God and His strength, we’ll make it step by step!

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in His way.” (Psalm 37:23)

“God is my strength and power: and He maketh my way perfect.” (II Samuel 22:33)

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09/17/2024

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“Known by Name”My name is special to me because I’m the only whom my papaw named. I mean, I don’t believe he had too har...
09/09/2024

“Known by Name”

My name is special to me because I’m the only whom my papaw named. I mean, I don’t believe he had too hard a time naming me since I was born in April, but still. I’m thankful I was born in April because I almost came in February. Can you imagine my name being February? I can just hear it now, “Hey, Feb! How’s it going?” I like the fact my name isn’t too common, but February would’ve been too uncommon.

Names. We all have them. We all need them. But we’re not always truly known by them. Just because we interact with others and have a face to go with a name doesn’t mean we genuinely know others, and they genuinely know us.

Sometimes we enjoy hearing people call out our name because we recognize who’s calling us. Other times, we’d rather not hear our name called because of the tone someone is using. But there is Someone Who not only knows and calls us by our name, but He knows us. He undoubtedly knows us, and it can be heard in His voice. The knowledge He has about us is not based on other’s opinions. He knows us because He formed us. He created us, and He is able to see through our exterior fronts, straight into our hearts. Seeing and knowing everything there is to see and knowing all there is to know about us, yet calls our names from a heart full of love. His calling our name is like no other sound known to man, because that one word coming from His lips has a deeper meaning. Deeper because He does know us like no one else knows us, and His knowing us can be detected with just one word. Our name.

“…Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art Mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

We’re not just a soul lost in a sea of billions of people. We are seen, known, and loved by a very personal God. He knew what our names would be before we even entered this world. He knew my papaw would name me April and my grandpa would call me Triple A. Thankfully, He saved me from being named February. =)

He knows you and calls you by name, too! To think the God of the universe knows every single person’s name is incomprehensible and mind blowing. He doesn’t lose track of us, have a memory slip and forget our name, or get us confused with someone else with the same name. We are individuals to Him and are constantly on His heart and mind, and continuously under His care. That’s the love of God for you! Why else would He know us and call us by name? He knows our deepest, darkest secrets and still loves us, still calls us by name and is not ashamed of nor embarrassed by us. He is proud to be our Father, an honor we truly don’t deserve. Through Him comes complete, unreversible redemption. Meaning, once we’re His, we’re always His. Nothing we do will ever change that. We are His forever. Not just on our good days, but our bad days, and on the days we’d like a do-over too. He’s never going to disown us or ignore us. No matter how badly we mess up. In spite of all we’ve done, in spite of who we think we are or who we think we should be, God has nothing but precious thoughts about us. I told Him the other day how thinking about what He thinks about me is such a beautiful thought. How humbling and encouraging it is that God only thinks good thoughts about you and me. That His plans for us are good plans. His love is a generous love. His ear is a listening one!

“How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand:…” (Psalm 139:17&18)

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

I picture God smiling at the mention or thought of my name. Not because of who I am, but because I am His. I picture Him smiling and saying to the heavenly hosts, “That’s my daughter, April. I have redeemed her. I have called her by name, and she is Mine.” Never has anyone ever said my name more beautifully.

He knows you and is calling your name too, friend! Just listen, you’ll hear it. And your life will be forever changed.

“Consider the Lilies”There’s this picture on a wall at the Cancer Center in the long hallway where we wait for scans, su...
09/02/2024

“Consider the Lilies”

There’s this picture on a wall at the Cancer Center in the long hallway where we wait for scans, surgeries and procedures that has been a comfort to me. I’ve seen it many times before, but it was especially a comfort when my dad was having emergency surgery to save his kidney back in April. The cluster of pictures is of lilies, trees, and a small bird. I’m not sure if they were purposefully hung together, but I know them being hung together was a God thing, because my mind automatically went to these verses:

“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Matthew 6:26-29)

God knew my mother and I would be walking up and down that long hallway, waiting, praying, hoping for good results. He knew we would have a long wait, growing concerned without any updates. God knew we were caught off guard, literally just taking one step at a time, doing what needed to be done to help my dad. No bandwidth to think past the right now. He knew the long time we had already spent in GA, my dad’s surgery extending that stay even longer. God knew the extra needs that pro-longed trip created. He knew we’d have to scramble to extend our reservations, do loads of laundry, and get off work. God knew the emotions we were feeling, how family back home was feeling. How tired we all were and just ready to go home. He knew all this and also had the foreknowledge and forethought to make sure these pictures were placed together and hung where I would see them. He knew I would point these pictures out to mother and remind her of the “Consider the Lilies” verses. God knew they would comfort her too.

These pictures comforting me this past trip was no different. Just as many times before, we found ourselves in the same hallway waiting for my dad’s scans. God reminded me again how He sees me. How He sees us. How attentive He is to the birds, the flowers and the trees, but is even more attentive to you and me. He sees. He understands, and He still holds us in His hands. He knows the needs we have even before we know we have them. Which means, He also knows how they’ll be met when we can’t figure it out. He has the answers waiting for us. The fulfillment to our needs. The peace to our storm. The comfort to our weary and discouraged hearts. He has all these things because He is all these things.

The other day God reminded me again how good He is at not missing a thing and always meets our needs. My nephew, being all concerned the birdbath was empty, said we needed to go out and fill it with water because the birds were thirsty. The next morning, I showed my nephew a birdbath filled with water from the rain the night before. I was able to tell Him God watered it for us; He takes care of the birds, and He takes care of us too.

I know sometimes we feel like just another face in the crowd. We feel unseen, unheard, and all alone. As if our problems are too much for us to carry, not even God wants to touch them. Not so, my friend. God is very aware of everything you’re going through. He hasn’t missed a thing, nor will He. Sure, we’ll go through things we’d rather not, but He is more than willing to go through them with us. We’re not alone, and we are not uncared for. If the God who meticulously paints the lilies with such color, also waters birdbaths and trees, then He is more than capable of caring for you and me.

So, the next time you feel you’re at the end of your rope, troubled by unmet needs, scrambling to figure out how to meet them, consider the lilies. They don’t struggle with worry, doubt or fear. They simply let God take care of them, giving Him glory right where they are. As should we. Because, God not only cares for the birds and the lilies, He also cares for you too, friend!

“Gratitude Goes A Long Way”I’ve not had the best of attitudes lately. I’ve found myself cranky, snippy, and curt. I kick...
08/19/2024

“Gratitude Goes A Long Way”

I’ve not had the best of attitudes lately. I’ve found myself cranky, snippy, and curt. I kick myself afterward and tried to curb it, but it came out anyway.

Talking it out with God the other day, trying to pinpoint my crankiness, I realized where it was coming from. One could easily say it’s because I’m tired and have a lot going on. Yes, I am tired and do have a lot going on. But that’s not the reason for my recent state of unpleasantness, nor is it an excuse.

My lack of gratitude was the culprit. Instead of seeing the good and being thankful for it, I’ve just been sending up prayers to request my wants and needs, neglecting to thank Him for who He is and what He’s done/is doing. As if God’s some form of customer service being forced to listen to my complaints. While He doesn’t mind at all to hear me out, prayer is so much more than that. He is so much more than that. But once I acknowledged my un-thankfulness, it all made sense. I was dwelling on matters which I feel need His attention and intervention, growing impatient with the lack of visible progress and completely missing the everyday blessings He generously gives me. I wasn’t proud of myself in the least, but thankful God was gracious enough to point out my bratty attitude. Not to reprimand or guilt trip me. But to graciously bring me back to where I need to be and should be.

No matter how much is going on in our lives that we may not like, we still have a lot to be thankful for. Somedays we may have to dig a little deeper to find it; but it’s there, and we will find it. Current circumstances may not be great. We may have a day(s) where 27 things go wrong. Or feel we literally can’t handle one more thing, because too much is too much. But the good news is God’s goodness isn’t defined by our circumstances nor the state of this world. God is good regardless. His goodness is as unchanging as He is. And when we can’t think of one more thing to be thankful for, we can always be thankful for His goodness. For His faithfulness during the darkest of nights. For His presence when it seems we’re all alone. For His patience when we’re slow learners. For His gentleness as He works on us. For His forgiveness and mercy we will never begin to deserve. For His saving grace and uplifting strength. For the way He understands us when we don’t even understand ourselves. For His undeniable and unending love. For Him! Because God is always all these things and more! For that, for Him, we can always be thankful.

Counting our blessings and expressing gratitude doesn’t diminish the hard we’re going through. But it will redirect our thoughts and shift our focus to a better place, to where our thoughts and hearts should be. Before long, our crankiness will be gone because we’ll no longer be focused on what’s going wrong, but thankful for what’s going right. Thankful God is still on His throne and still in control. We’ll soon see we have a lot more to be thankful for than we realized. Because God bountifully enriches our lives with blessings to which we owe Him all our gratitude and thanks.

So, the next time you find yourself in the state of being I found myself in, I encourage you to find something to be thankful for. And when we can’t find one earthly thing to be thankful for, we can always look heavenward and find countless reasons to be thankful. Because a little gratitude goes a long way.

“Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” (II Corinthians 9:11)

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)

“Motivated or Not”So…I have a confession to make, I’m not feeling too motivated today. I’m pretty tired and want nothing...
08/12/2024

“Motivated or Not”

So…I have a confession to make, I’m not feeling too motivated today. I’m pretty tired and want nothing more than to crawl back in bed and sleep for at least three days straight. Quite honestly, there’ve been a few Mondays where I just wasn’t feeling it. But if writing these Motivational Mondays has taught me anything, they’ve taught me to write in spite of my current state of emotion. Because who’s to say if I didn’t write on those particular Monday’s; didn’t share what God gave me; didn’t post them, someone would have missed a blessing, being encouraged, motivated, challenged, or inspired that day. All because I was too consumed with myself and my feelings? Not that my words do all that, but I pray God does all that through them.

These days often come when I’m exhausted and spent. When I’m more susceptible to giving in to my emotions and stressing over my random inner thought. During these times, I feel like a failure. I feel as if what I’m bringing to the table isn’t good enough. I question why I even bother. But then God reminds me He has a purpose for the words He gives me. Though I feel as if they’re mere words, He can take them and use them for something far greater than I could ever dream. But I have to do my part. I have to continue listening to Him. I have to keep sharing what I wouldn’t share otherwise. I have to be willing to used, even if I don’t understand how or why He’s using me. I have to keep showing up – even on days, like today, I just don’t feel like it. Especially on those days!

There may be days you feel unmotivated too. Or maybe you feel inadequate and useless. Overwhelmed and tired. Maybe you’re just over it. Or you feel as if your part isn’t significant and think it wouldn’t matter if you tried or not. That maybe you’ll just sit this one out because you’re tired, and no matter what you do it never seems to be good enough anyway.

I hear you! I have my own bouts of struggling with all the feelings. But we have to remember, while our feelings are real, they’re not truth. Our feelings change like the wind. Here one minute, gone the next. We can’t live our lives based on feeling. Instead, we should focus on “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

You know what else is true? You are doing better than you think you are! You are making a difference! You may never see the many ways you’re making a difference this side of heaven, but trust me, you are. And one day you will see the difference you’ve made.

So, let’s you and I stop listening to the lies from the enemy. He knows we’re tired, which makes us vulnerable, giving him all the more reason to mess with our minds and fill them with lies. But he’s wrong, friend. Because, your life does have purpose and is meaningful! You have a special, high calling only you can fulfill. What a privilege that is! That means no one else could even begin to take your place because they’re not you. They can’t do what you can do. Only you can do that. You are needed in this world, and you are needed in your world! Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise and if they do, don’t you dare believe it. Because it’s a lie straight from the pits of hell.

Motivated or not, we have a job to do. So, let’s keep showing up. Keep answering God’s call. Keep doing what we know we’re put on this earth to do. Maybe you’re questioning His call. Don’t undo in doubt what you did in faith. Maybe you’re not exactly sure what that is. Take heart, because God will show you in time and will also give you the wherewithal to do it.

Until then, keep pressing forward. Keep being faithful. Keep being you. Because motivated or not, you are amazing! =)

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:…” (Luke 16:10)

“Waiting with Him” Waiting. It's that word my friend and I laugh about because we both know we hate it yet can't escape ...
08/05/2024

“Waiting with Him”

Waiting. It's that word my friend and I laugh about because we both know we hate it yet can't escape it. We're always waiting on something/for something. We seem to go from waiting room right to another.

But we’re all familiar with waiting to some extent. Am I right? Waiting in the checkout line at the grocery store. Waiting in a drive-thru at a fast-food joint. Waiting for a text reply. Waiting for a return phone call. Waiting for a prescription to be filled. Waiting for the coffee to brew. For fall to come, and Christmas too. Waiting for UPS to deliver Amazon packages. Waiting for payday. Waiting for the weekend. Waiting, waiting, waiting. This type of waiting, though, is inevitable. We pretty much grow accustomed to it. But some things we hope to never have to wait for.

Like waiting till you can see the doctor, and this time it’s not just a check-up. Waiting for biopsy results, hoping they come back clear. Waiting for the date surgery is scheduled, praying all goes well and things don’t become worse in the meantime. Waiting to consult with the doctor to find out what your options are. Waiting for scans to come in, praying for a good report.

Waiting for a loved one to come back home. Waiting for them to stop running in every direction except the right one. To once and for all, resolve to get clean. For the chains of their addiction to be broken, no longer having a hold on them.

Waiting for a relationship to be mended. For the other party to put forth an effort in making it work. Waiting for them to take responsibility for their actions, owning what they’ve done. Waiting for them to forgive you and themselves for the hurt that’s been caused. Waiting for them to accept your forgiveness/apology.

Waiting for God to bring you and “the one” together, wondering if it will ever happen or if you’re destined to be single forever.
Waiting for a better job opportunity to come along, dreading the thought of going into your current workplace every day. The rejection and attempts of finding a new job making you weary.
Waiting for God to meet a need; heal a loved one.
Waiting for stressful situations to be resolved.
Waiting for direction.
Waiting for confirmation as to what to do next, feeling stuck in limbo in the meantime.
Waiting for a door to open, a window. Something, anything to get out of the long, narrow hallway! To not have to wait anymore. To be able to move forward. To not remain in this current state forever.

I get it. I’ve been there too. I'm there now. There've been times I was so tired of waiting, I started getting angry and resentful, begrudging the wait. But bit by bit, God worked on me and changed my heart, transforming my perspective to where I became thankful for the wait. Thankful God didn’t give me what I thought I wanted, because it was not at all what I needed.

What I did need, however, was a closer walk with Jesus. I needed to trust Him more and learn to let go. To let Him shape my desires to match His. Not the other way around. To be still, and know He is God and He knows what He’s doing. To accept His will looks different than my wants but is ultimately for my good.

We’re not the only ones who’ve had to wait. Jesus waited too. He waited thirty years before His earthly ministry began. Thirty. Years. That’s a long time. Thirty years of not being able to start what He knew He was put on this earth to do. Thirty years of “stalling”, putting His ministry on “hold”. Thirty years which could have easily felt useless, wasted. But during those thirty years, He didn’t just wait. He didn’t sit idly until something happened. He prayed. He prepared. He worked. He anticipated the day He could finally start calling His disciples and telling others He was the Messiah. Then, finally…It was time.

We live in a fast-paced world, where everything is constantly changing, moving, “progressing”, making it harder for us to wait. We expect things to happen at our pace and in our time because of the society we live in. Everything is instantaneous. But we need to realize, God’s not. That’s not how He works. He isn’t bound by our manner of living. He sees the big picture and knows when everything should unfold and how it should fall into place. He has a purpose and a plan for every waiting room you and I sit in. We look at it as time wasted. As punishment, even. But it won’t be wasted if we spend it with Him as Jesus did. Instead, it will be time well-spent.

Spent with the One who knows what’s outside the waiting room. Allowing Him to prepare us for what awaits. Letting Him work in us, through us, and for us. Trusting He has a better plan. Believing it will all work out for our good.

We’re not exempt from waiting. At some point in our lives, we’re all going to be sitting in a metaphorical waiting room, if not a literal one, which is where I'm sitting as I write this. But how we wait is up to us. We can waste our time sitting around, waiting for something to change, or we can let Him change us. Change our attitude towards waiting. Change our perspective of the purpose for the waiting.

We can look at our circumstances and blame God for the lack of progress, or we can get busy and serve Him while we’re waiting.

We can resent having to wait, or we can be thankful God’s saving us from something we only think we want to give us what we really need.

We can ignore the fact this is the perfect opportunity to draw nigh to Him, or we can welcome Him into our waiting room, give Him the seat right next to us, embrace His presence and make the most of our waiting. Not just waiting but waiting with Him. And there’s no better place to be, my friend.

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)

“I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope.” (Psalm 130:5)

"Stay The Course"Life can leave us reeling sometimes, throwing curveballs we weren't prepared to catch. Knocking us off ...
07/29/2024

"Stay The Course"

Life can leave us reeling sometimes, throwing curveballs we weren't prepared to catch. Knocking us off balance, causing us to lose our footing. We're left wondering what to do and where to go.

My dad's doctor gave him sound advice during his oncology visit last week. After reviewing my dad's lab work, and what we're looking at as progress, he looked at my dad and said, "Stay the course."

Stay the course: to continue with a process or effort even though it is difficult. To stick with a plan despite criticisms and setbacks. To finish what you start, maintaining a constant, unaltering course while navigating.

Sound advice for all of us, especially with recent events.

My dad could easily call it quits, throw in the towel. He's fought long and hard and he's tired. But thank God, my dad's not a quitter. In fact, he literally cut the word quit out of his dictionary. Because for him, quitting is not an option.

Quitting shouldn't be an option for us either. No matter how hard our journey or rough the road. God has every one of us here for a purpose. One we must fulfill. Not cower in the corner and hide when the blows are hard and the punches are low. But rather, stay the course.

Stay the course when you can’t catch a break, and the hits keep coming. When doing right is mocked and wrong is applauded. Stay the course when the days are long and the nights are short, stealing rest. When the waiting leaves you wondering, restless, and impatient. Stay the course by sharing God’s love in a world filled with hate, allowing our hearts to break for what break’s God’s. Stay the course when hard work and efforts go unnoticed, and you feel unappreciated. When it all seems in vain. Because it’s not.

Someone out there needs you to keep going. To continue living the life God gave you to live, serving Him how He’s called you to serve. Shining His light and sharing His love. It’s obvious this world needs it. To withhold it is nothing short of selfish and unloving. The exact opposite of who God is.

This life we live for Him is not easy no matter how it looks. For some, He’s allowing to fight cancer. Others, He’s allowing to fight heart conditions, struggle with seizures, or something completely unrelated to health. No matter how our journeys differ, we should all have the same goal: stay the course. God’s brought us too far for us to turn back now and abandon ship.

I know the load is hard and heavy and can be utterly discouraging, and quitting is tempting. But maybe we should all be like my dad and cut the word “quit” out of our dictionaries. Because, although we grow tired and our hearts become weary, quitting should never be option. Anyone can quit, but let’s you and I do the hard thing. Let’s keep pressing forward and always stay the course.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 3:13&14)

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