“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5 ESV)
Expectant:
1.having or showing an excited feeling that something is about to happen, especially something good. (Ref: Oxford Languages)
Endurance:
1. (n.) The quality of withstanding hardship or stress; lastingness; perseverance; continuance.
2. (n.) The act of bearing or suffering; a continuing under pain or distress without resistance, or without being overcome; sufferance; patience. (Ref: Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary)
REFLECTION
After prayerfully doing research, I recently started a new physical fitness programme. Two days in and I was abounding in enthusiasm, telling all and sundry about the brilliant benefits of physical exercise. But, the novelty soon wore off and I began to feel the pain of perseverance when it took a collosal effort to show up and follow through. But, by the grace of God, I did and I intend to continue in faith, trusting God to grant me grace to endure. Physical fitness really does positively impact how we live and feel, and it certainly has its place, but let’s not forget the truth of 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV) that : “…physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” So, yes, let’s prayerfully persevere in cultivating healthy habits, but let’s prioritise and be careful to cultivate our connection with our Creator and those He created, in prayer, pondering and obeying His Word. And let’s stay expectant as we endure in faith, hope and His perfect, enduring love.
PRAYER POEM
Loving Lord ~ thank You for the countless ways You help us each day. Grant me grace I pray, to stay close and attentive to You in each unfolding moment and not just grit my teeth to get through, but to wholeheartedly embrace the adventure You’ve called me to and stay ever open and yielded to You.
