2 Chronicles 15:7 “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”
When the going gets tough sometimes it’s easy to get discouraged. We start out gung ho with an endeavor but time runs short, problems occur, and a thought of abandoning the whole idea teases the brain. This is when we need to focus on the goal and continue to plug along.
Last Wednesday I was so excited. It was the first day of a photography class I signed up for. I arrived early with my Canon and my laptop ready to go. My motivation was high and I was sure I would be taking brilliant photos by the end of the week. By the middle of the first class my hopes drooped as I realized this new hobby was harder than I thought, and my appreciation of skilled photographers rose to a new level. This was going to require time and work.
Isn’t that just like the Christian life? Often when someone comes to know the Lord as their Savior they are thrilled about being a part of the body of Christ. They have become a new creation and now have a relationship with God along with a sure hope for their eternal future.
Things go well until the first crisis hits. Life in a sinful world is full of plenty of roadblocks to living the Christian life. It is easy to think about giving up and falling back into old habits and patterns. But God has promised we will have victory if we just keep on. He has taken it upon Himself to guide us, give us wisdom, provide an escape from temptation, and supply everything we need to succeed. We can’t give up, but must keep moving ahead step by step.
Photography class has produced some roadblocks for me. I had to navigate the school website for assignments, explore Photoshop for the first time, and find the time to complete the projects. When tired I briefly have moments where I think of giving up, but I’m not going to. I will not get everything perfect right away and my photos will never be featured in National Geographic, but just like the Christian life I will keep learning and moving ahead step by step. After all, I have a pretty good Teacher – and Scott Huck is a pretty good photography teacher too! — Love, Mama