Slow and Steady Wins

On Monday I briefly mentioned the metaphor of the two mice that fell into a deep bowl of cream. One gave up and drowned; the other fought so hard he churned the cream into butter and stepped out. The moral of the story? Never give up.

Do you remember all those childhood stories that were meant to teach us just that? The lessons of never give up; it’s okay to be different; always be kind; never tell a lie.

I remember well the story of the Tortoise and the Hare where the slow-moving tortoise wins a race against the fast but overconfident hare. The story highlights the "slow and steady wins the race". Never be over confident and never give up!

The Little Engine That Could. Remember that small blue engine? Despite doubts and challenges, it successfully pulled a train over a mountain by repeating "I think I can, I think I can."

Friend, those were great children’s stories and they taught great moral lessons to many boys and girls, but we can turn to the Bible for the same, if not, better instruction.

I can’t help but think of Hebrews 12:1 when thinking of the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. “…let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

That slow moving turtle won the race because he did not give up; he did not quit or stop for even a moment, but instead he endured to the finish line, and he won.

Matthew 24:13 tells us "But the one who endures to the end will be saved." ESV

Endure:

to withstand, tolerate, or persist through difficult, challenging, or adverse circumstances, situations, or conditions. The ability to remain resilient, patient, and steadfast in the face of hardships, suffering, or prolonged difficulties without giving up or succumbing to them.

So, what seemingly impossible situation do you face today?

Many years ago, I read a short story, more an allegory really, where a man is told by God to push a large, immovable boulder with all his might. And so, he did. The man bent ever so slightly, put his shoulder against the boulder and began pushing with all his might. It would not budge.

The man pushed and pushed but despite his best efforts, he was unable to move the boulder. But he kept pushing. Hours; days; weeks and then months went by and still he pushed and still the boulder did not budge. He became frustrated and asked God why he was given this seemingly impossible task. “Lord, this is impossible! I cannot move it.” To which God replied, “I never asked you to move it, I simply asked you to push with all your might.”

God then shared with him that the purpose of the task was not to move the boulder physically but to develop the man's strength, determination, and faith.

Friend sometimes challenges and obstacles in life are meant to help us grow and become stronger in character and faith.

Cheri Peters has this little saying: “If God had a refrigerator, your photo would be on it.” God is crazy about you!

I am very fond of the verbiage in Jeremiah 31:3 “…I have loved you with an everlasting love…”

Whatever your challenge, whatever your obstacle, don’t lose sight of this fact: God loves you more than anything.

Jesus said, “…“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 ESV

by Jeanette Stark – Wednesday, October 18, 2023