05/23/2026
ENDURANCE PAID OFF
Several years ago I was on a deer lease in Hamilton County, Texas. The lease offered a decent hunt and we were excited to be in the woods again! For an outdoorsman, you can take the indoor city life only so long but the call of the wild is paramount. I hunted there with my Buddy, Ronnie, for several years on the "7-R Ranch".
Upon arrival, time was short to set up camp and install some hanging bowstands in strategic locations. In record time we were ready. I had chosen a suitable tree near a fence row about 20 yards into the woods where I had found fresh tracks. With screw-in tree steps, I climbed the tree and hung my stand about 8‘ off the ground. I usually like to get a little higher, but the tree limbs wouldn’t participate. LOL. With very little foliage for camouflage, I had to remain very still, which is sometimes hard in an uncomfortable stand. I had forgot my cushion and was sitting directly on the metal seat, but hunters are tough, and can endure anything for the opportunity for a shot at a deer. LOL.
After about an hour of trying not to wiggle around in the stand, a nice doe finally decided to come by. She was sneaking through the woods about 20 yards out when my sharp “carrot fed” eyes spotted her. Trying to minimize my movements and not spook the deer, I was finally able to draw my bow as she turned her head for a few seconds. Bam! Thank the Lord for another harvest. My endurance had paid off.
The same way I needed endurance to get my deer, we need endurance to live the Christian life.
“For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:”
(Hebrews 10:36)
In Strongs #5281, the Greek word for endurance is “hupomone”. It means consistency, perseverance, continuance, bearing up, steadfastness, holding out, or patient endurance.
It describes the capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances, not with a passive complacency, but with a hopeful fortitude that actively resists weariness and defeat.
Let’s continue with endurance, as we look forward to the imminent return of our Lord!
Blessings,
Dave
