Never Give Up

By Pastor Eric

In 1990 I took my first step to becoming a US soldier by attending boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. Just like any new recruit I was nervous but excited all at once. With an athletic background in high school, the physical parts of training came naturally to me and I seemed to catch on quickly to shooting, marching, leadership, and all the other aspects of this new way of life. 

Although I excelled in most of the training, there was one thing I struggled with, and that was long distance marching with a very heavy backpack. At one point in boot camp I was even having a hard time making the required time for our mandatory marches. Between the 65lb pack and  the 15 miles I had to cover, it seemed impossible for me to ever make it. I would get to about the 11 or 12 mile mark and just want to quit. The rest of the march was an absolute struggle for me and I thought I would never be able to do it.

I worked very hard on this aspect of my training and even devoted extra time to getting better at it. I had this one drill sergeant, Sgt. Burns, who spent his extra time working with me on my long distance marching. He would walk next to me the whole way, encouraging me, giving me advice, yelling at me not to quit, and reminding me that I could do this! Watching us, you would probably think I was in trouble as Sgt. Burns screamed in my ear but he was there to help me along the way…to keep me motivated, to push me forward. He would alway tell me, “I know it hurts but keep pushing forward one foot in front of the other, pain is temporary and quitting is not an option.” 

In the same way, life can be difficult too! Like a road march that is so long, filled with steep hills, rough terrain, all while carrying a heavy load, life can be filled with all sorts of pain and hurts that put us in a mindset of giving up and calling it quits. BUT, we have to remember that in life it takes character to keep marching forward and to finish strong. In the Message, 1 Corinthians 9:26 is put like this, “I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No SLOPPY living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.”

Brothers and sisters, as Christ-followers our character is grounded in who Jesus is, in us! And because of Jesus and the fact that we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we have a strength and an endurance that comes from him to finish the march. The Spirit is like drill sergeant Burns who pushes us along, giving us strength when we are weak, speaking encouragement when we are ready to give up, hope when the path becomes hopeless, and a spirit of conquering any challenge that comes our way along the journey and never quitting. Life is not always easy and the road can be long and difficult, but Jesus has overcome this world so that we are able to finish the race and to finish well! In Christ “we are more than conquerors!”   

I long to hear the words of my Jesus one day as I cross the finish line…”Well done Eric, good and faithful servant.” 

RUN THIS LIFE WITH ALL YOU GOT BROTHERS AND SISTERS and NEVER GIVE UP!!

“Fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 1:2-3