FINISH STRONG
“Work hard and continue to struggle.” – Timothy
Last week a friend sent me a text with this question, “Why do we have to struggle?”
Honestly, my first thought was, “why should we not have to struggle?” This beautiful, magnificent thing we call life is best experienced through hard work and struggle.
Ignatius called struggle desolation. It was his conviction that we are either in desolation or consolation.
The good thing about struggle is it ends. It does not last forever IF you are working hard and are continuing to struggle. To fight through until consolation comes is the game plan.
In struggle times, clinging to the promising words in Lamentations is the “work hard and continue to struggle” part of the deal to finish strong.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning great is thy faithfulness. I say to myself the Lord is my portion, therefore, I will wait for him. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him to the one who seeks him.” Lamentations 3:22
For most of us starting is relatively easy. The finish is the real beast, especially when it comes to worthy causes or tasks that have long-term commitments.
Nothing demands more hard work and struggle than to live well and continue to struggle to the last breath.
Serious basketball coaching has taught me well the concept and value of finish.
The MADE basketball shot in heavy traffic, with the prospect of getting driven to the floor by a defensive monster, is of one the games most difficult skills to master, yet finish at the free throw line wins 25% of basketball games. Ever wonder why so many players can’t make the games, only free shot?
Fact is, in basketball terms, the Crowell’s are in heavy traffic. We have our own opportunity to finish strong. Susie and I are so thankful for the folks in our lives who finished strong. We applaud and imitate them.
Words of Hope has been life-giving to me. Eight years ago, a doc in Seattle estimated Crowell had 3 years; it has been 8 and if you have any doubt let me make it clear.
God is who He says I am. Same is true for you! Who God says we are trumps even who we think we are.
Join me today to work hard and continue to struggle. Joy comes as I write these words. Joy is my reality. How about you?
