Endure

When I gave my life to Jesus, I found that I enjoyed denying my flesh and often did the opposite to what I normally wanted to do. I discovered the joy of my salvation was to do the opposite of my old nature, and do what the Spirit directed. It was a time of great freedom and revelation in my life.

You might think that I was on a great track walking with the Lord, but the problem was, it didn’t last. Those things would have been a good foundation for my life, if I had only endured through the trials that came. You see, I had, deeply rooted in me, a longing for the recognition of man. Even though my motives began in innocence, they soon twisted into doing things to please man, rather than God-fearing trust.

I found myself being ridiculed by my peers. Then pride entered in and I stumbled under its weight. In the test, I adopted the “get it now, get it quick” mentality that grips so many youth. I knew from today’s scripture that ‘God would provide the way of escape’, so I immediately looked for that quick escape from the pressure that I was in. And having no guiding hand to show me my error, I lost my passion for the ‘opposite’ spirit, and conformed. I learned to wear a mask, and never show what was inside me. I conformed into the image of Church, rather than the image of Christ.

Years later I learned the simple truth of endurance that is at the end of this verse, which is that God would show me how to endure through the test. My friends, that is the way of escape. That is God’s way of developing His character in our lives. Our testing is to make us into God’s image, not so we can find the quick escape.

Peter tells us that we shouldn’t be surprised by the fiery trials that come upon us as we follow Jesus. Paul teaches us to press through the suffering, so it produces in us perseverance, character and hope. It’s the way Jesus walked before us. Should we expect an easier path? In God’s strength, you can make it, and He’ll show you the way through the testing that you’re in. I know, because He’s faithful, and has shown Himself faithful to me.

Prayer: Oh my Father in heaven, show me the way through this test that I’m in right now. I need Your strength to endure through it. Help me to persevere. Let Your grace teach me how to say no to my ungodliness and to live a self-controlled, upright, and godly life, while I wait for my blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of my great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for me to redeem me from all my lawlessness. and to purify for Himself a person eager to do good. Thank You Jesus. Amen.