By: Elizabeth Haarberg

Push Through or Lay Down?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link. 

Life is full of trials and unknowns. One of the areas I struggle with is whether to keep fighting or lay it down. So how do I unravel the questions of how to move forward or back down?

“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” Hebrews 10:36 English Standard Version

There is a need to endure the hardships in life because it is just that, hard. This verse specifically states that endurance leads to finishing what God intended.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 English Standard Version

On the flip side, if the season passes and we aren’t paying attention, we will hang onto the old ways that God intended for us to let go. Letting go of the plans, even if they were good plans, is hard for humans. Being in rhythm with God and laying everything at His altar is how we surrender the ideas in which He no longer wants us to be engaged. Accepting the discernment from the Holy Spirit is a big part of knowing when to let go or hang on.

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 English Standard Version

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:14 English Standard Version

I have adjusted my goals and aspirations according to what God calls. For example, I am pursuing my master’s as a licensed counselor. Over the past two years I have turned down multiple alluring offers that would slow down my pursuit of the degree. Though they probably would have produced fruit in my life, I said no. I know what my current calling is and unless God distinctly diverts me from the path, I will finish my degree. I knew when beginning this trek that this is the calling on my life right now. That said, I have held my journey with loose hands, always willing to hand it over to God if He had something different in mind. Until then, I will run this race.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado