To stay the course sounds like such drudgery. Nothing is further from the truth in the Christian life. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the phrase, stay the course as: to continue with a process, effort, etc., even though it is difficult. The exciting thing about living life as a Christian is that even when life becomes challenging or difficult, we know God is there with us and will help us through the difficulties. What’s even more cool is that when we follow God whole-heartedly, life never is a drudgery, but rather it’s so much fun!
Christians who have grown up in the church may feel like their walk with God isn’t very exciting, especially when someone has a testimony that is fantastic and a 180 degree turn about in his/her life. They have such a wonderment about being a Believer and Follower of God. We who have grown up in the church may look at our lives and say, well, I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was 11. We don’t have a fantastic salvation story. We learned about Jesus from the time we were born, and then made the decision with the urging of the Holy Spirit to accept Him as our Savior.
You may feel that your life is ordinary and rather boring since you were born into the Christian culture. The thing is, we may have been born into a Christian family, but the Christian culture allows us freedom to be a member of any culture in the world. When we are born into a Christian family, we are allowing God to mold us at a young age and be able to use us in ways unimaginable until we turn around twice, (ok, maybe a few more times than that for some of us,) and realize God has given us a phenomenal life.
It makes me so sad to hear when a Christian turns his/her back on God. It’s like they have turned in their 100 dollar bills for pennies. The truly sad thing is, sometimes, they don’t even realize it. When someone does turn from God’s journey for their life, it is up to us to come along side that person, hold them up in prayer, and help them as much as they will allow. If it is impossible to come beside that person, keep praying. Ask as many Believers as you know to pray for their relationship with Christ. Never stop praying. It may literally take years. You may die before your prayer is answered, but if others are praying for that person, then God will be faithful to welcome the wayward person back. My mother and I prayed for a particular person for a good 20 years to turn back to God, when my mom died, she was still praying, without having seen the fruition of her prayers. I keep praying for this person every day. Finally, this person is slowly looking to God’s path for her life. God is faithful. We need to be just as faithful. We need to be willing to stay the course when the situation seems hopeless because God is the Father of hope.
Christian – stay the course with God and your journey through life will not only give you peace in the storms of life, but such happiness/joy/bliss/ excitement as well. This is what makes staying the course in the Christian life so phenomenal. Our God is such an incredible Being. He is never boring, and if you give yourself entirely to Him, you will find that His journey for your life will be so fantastic beyond your imagination. Remember, God made us, and He knows better than ourselves what rocks our boats. Trust me, if you are a thrill-seeker, God will give you thrills. If God made you a quiet person who loves to live in the country, He will provide a ministry for you there. Trust God to plan your life and provide what is needed for His purpose for you to live it. I promise, you will never be bored with God’s plan for your life.
However, just because you faithfully are following the road God has paved for you, doesn’t mean it will be an easy one. You will have problems. Sometimes the problems come from Satan because he doesn’t want us to stay the course and give God the glory. Other times, God allows life to grind down our rough edges so we will be suited for a job He has for us down the way. When the road becomes bumpy, we need to remember …that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Too often we become anxious and allow doubt to creep in when life gets rough. But I tell you, these are the times to ramp up your praying and increase your faith as you are guided by the Holy Spirit through trouble so you are able to see God’s miraculous work first-hand. Think about it. If we didn’t go through tough times, how would we be able to see God working for our benefit? Indeed, we should be excited when life becomes troublesome because we know we will have the opportunity to watch God work His handiwork right in front of us. It’s like we are little children and He is bending down to our height, taking our faces into His hands and saying, “Watch this!”
Be proud of growing up in the church. Thank your parents for teaching you about God and His unconditional love for you. Give God the glory for making you who you are and fulfilling His purpose in you. Be thankful that the God of the Universe is walking right beside you, holding your hand and guiding you. It’s easy to stay the course when He is calling the shots.
Resources:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stay%20the%20course
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