AT THE START LINE - 2025

My grandson and I finishing our first 5k run- 2024

A belated HAPPY NEW YEAR to all :)

I can't believe we are 5 days into the 2025 already. Then again, 2024 seemed to disappear as quickly as it had arrived. Well kinda of. I can't say that it was a year that I would happily relive if given the chance- I'm glad to see the back of it actually.

Sure there were many exhilarating moments and equal amounts of celebrations and personal accomplishments, but it was also dotted with pain, tragedy and simply white knuckled mental struggle. Both personally and as a family, it was simply a year of trials. We began and ended 2024 with the untimely deaths of 2 beloved pets- Dex and Romeo. Who would have thought that dogs could attach themselves so deeply to your heart. Their deaths became the bookends of what has been a challenging year.

As I reflect over those 365 days, one word stands out for me - ENDURANCE. That certainly was what had been required to get through some of those dark times. ENDURANCE.

That doesn't mean that I succeeded every time. There were several moments I simply fell flat on my face. But to my credit, I did get up and I guess that is what endurance is also about.

Even though I knew what the term meant, this morning I decided to look up some definitions for the simple purpose of expanded my take on it.

Here are some definitions I found on the internet:

'...the ability to endure an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way.'

'...the ability to withstand hardship or adversity; especially: the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity.'

'...the ability to keep doing something difficult, unpleasant or painful for a long time.'

'...the ability or strength to continue or last especially despite fatigue, stress or other adverse conditions.'

Yep, that's exactly what had been require - mentally at least.

These are my thoughts:

Endurance can only be 'undertaken' when there is an opposing force. A force that demands you to dig deep, strengthen what lies within and keep forging ahead. This is not about wallowing in the circumstance or glorifying personal suffering or declaring victimhood as a badge of honour. This is about resistance, maintaining and pushing forward. It is ultimately about victory.

The marathon runner is a great example of endurance. He or she will always finish as a victor - even if they haven't accomplished their personal best. Why? because during that marathon, he or she will resist and fight the battle both mentally and physically. If they fail, they will not complete the course laid out before them - forfeiting the pride and glory of knowing that they crossed the finish line as a marathon runner. However, if they are able to endure the physical discomfort and resist the internal voices that would encourage them to just settle for less, they emerge as victors.

Second thought:

Endurance has a purpose. It is endurance that gets you to the goal. We don't just endure for the sake of enduring. We push on because we believe that what lies at the end of that road is worth the pain and struggle. Again, this is not about just putting up with something. This is about your character being developed on the road to the goal.

Third thought:

Sometimes endurance is not what is being required of us. Sometimes we are just simply doing or being somewhere or with someone that is not part of God's plan for us.

I've been studying the book of James. In the first chapter it addresses trials, faith and endurance. In verse 5 it says, 'But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God...' If we're not sure whether this is a matter of endurance, then we need to seek wisdom from God. Trying to beat down a door that is not meant to be opened, is not about endurance - it's about getting wisdom.

Final thought:

Endurance and faith are connected. We are able to endure the trials of life when we truly believe the relevant promises of God to us. As we hold to His word, we are able to wait or press forward. Our thoughts, actions and emotions will hold fast. And even if we fall repeatedly, as long as we continue to seek Him, God will give us the ability to stand up again and again and again. And that my friend is how you endure.

I know that I am not the same person that began 2024. I would like to think (or hope :) at least) that in the midst of all the chaos and fun, my character continued to be strengthened and beautified.

'And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.'

2025, here we come!

Live Boldly

Live Passionately