The Tokyo Olympics are underway.  There are a number of events that are labelled “Endurance Events.”  Some of them are foot races that involve covering considerable distances including some grueling conditions.  Many of the participants have trained for these events for years, sustaining a consistent, rigorous training regimen…all of this to qualify to run, to finish well, and win the prize.  The Christian life also requires endurance…spiritual fitness, built by enduring through strenuous spiritual challenges, which are required of us as we “run the race” of the Christian life to accomplish, with God’s help, the will of God in our lives for His glory.

Colossians 1:9-12

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

“Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.” ~ William Barclay

The Lord bless you and keep you…

Pastor Dave