GRIT.
Anything worth doing takes work. God has BIG plans for us—for BIG accomplishments—but it still requires BIG effort on our part. So, when His PLAN becomes our GOAL, we become “laborers together with God …” (1 Corinthians 3:9 KJV) and ANYTHING is possible.
But look, when the Apostle Paul said “All things WORK together for good …” he did NOT say “All things SLIDE together easily or simply ‘happen’ without effort.” No. It takes WORK … and GRIT. The bigger the challenge, the more we need GRIT.
At the very least, GRIT is four things:
1️⃣ DESIRE for the goal—unwavering faith to actually accomplish what we set out to do and determination not to stop trying until we do. If our goal is centered in GOD’s Will, set in His Wisdom, and consistent with His Word … “let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for HE who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23 NIV)
2️⃣ ACCOUNTABILITY to ourselves and to others who want to see us reach our goal. It’s someone to help us stick it out—to track our steps as we progress and to answer to if we don’t. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 NIV)
3️⃣ TRUST in the process, one step at a time. With our eyes fixed on the prize, and with dogged perseverance, it’s being convinced that the goal WILL be reached. “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me …” (Philippians 3:13-14 NIV)
4️⃣ ATTITUDE of fortitude—it’s the JOY in seeing progress made, even if it’s small. But it’s also sheer STRENGTH and determination to continue on when we don’t. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we WILL reap a harvest if we DO NOT GIVE UP.” (Gal. 6:9 NIV)
Climbing a mountain is accomplished ONE STEP at a time. Regardless of our training, equipment, experience, or prideful attitude—it’s always done the same way for EVERYONE: one step at a time.
DON’T QUIT. Every step forward on the path, no matter how slow or small, gets us closer to our goal. The more regular and consistent they are, the more our momentum grows. If you HAVE to stop—then turn around and see how far you’ve already come! Breathe deeply, get the sand out of your shoe, readjust your pack if necessary, face forward again … and just take the NEXT step. God is walking with you.
“Sometimes life is so hard you can only do the next thing. Whatever that is just do the next thing. God will meet you there.” —Elisabeth Elliot
NEVER GIVE UP! As we sense we’re nearing the end of life’s journey, and our ultimate GOAL lies just beyond the top of the hill—this is not the time to quit. Take another step. Then another. Get your momentum back. Determine to finish well. At the end of the day, to be able to say “I MADE IT!” will be so much more satisfying than “I quit.” Make no mistake: no matter how long and steep the path, the VIEW at the top will be WORTH the CLIMB!
The TOP! Heaven! It’s just ahead! Where every “Why?” will be swallowed up in WONDER and all our grief in GLORY! Or as Vance Havner described the moment “… when all question marks will be straightened into exclamation points, sorrow will change to SINGING, and pain will be lost in PRAISE!”
Even now, as the path levels and the road is not so steep, we can see that we’re approaching the summit! Just a few more steps—ALREADY we begin to loosen the burden we’ve carried for so long, and our hearts begin to sing …
“Jesus led me all the way!
Led me step by step each day!
I will tell the saints and angels
as I lay my burdens down,
That Jesus led me ALL THE WAY!”
It’s only just ahead—just a bit more, then … GLORY!!!
