The Flush of Perseverance
A couple of weeks ago, our main toilet started acting up. When you pushed down the handle to flush, nothing would happen. Typically, if you tried it again, it would flush. It was a bit annoying, but overall, not a big deal. However, the problem has progressively gotten worse.
Now, if it doesn't flush on the first try, you have to pump the handle until it finally decides to flush. But, when I say you have to pump the handle, take note that it's not quite as simple as it sounds. No, as we've discovered, there is a particular way and speed at which you have to pump it. It will not work if you pump too quickly or too slowly.
Do you have any idea how ridiculous it feels to stand there trying to pump at just the right speed simply to get the toilet to flush?
Don’t Stop Digging
The road to success is rarely a straight line. More often, it resembles the winding paths Jason and I hike through the Welsh countryside. They are full of unexpected turns, occasional dead ends, and moments where you question if we're heading in the right direction at all. I've discovered that the difference between reaching our destination or turning back often comes down to one simple choice: will we keep going when obstacles appear? This lesson was beautifully illustrated in the life of Isaac.
In Genesis 26, Isaac found himself in the midst of a severe famine. Despite God's instruction to stay put in Gerar rather than flee to Egypt, Isaac soon faced a new challenge, and water became the center of conflict.
No River Too Wide
Have you ever felt like the obstacles in your life were just too big to overcome? Like the river was overflowing its banks, and there was no way to cross? I know I have. In fact, I was just thinking about that the other day as I was reading through 1 Chronicles 12.
In this chapter, we read about the Gadites, a group of warriors who came to fight for David. Now, these guys were no strangers to battle. They were "men of might, and men of war fit for the battle" (1 Chronicles 12:8). But when they arrived at the Jordan, they found that the river was overflowing its banks. In the days of Joshua, the river had parted, and the Israelites had crossed on dry ground. But this time, there was no dry ground to be found.
Stay By the Stuff
In I Samuel 30, David and his army returned to their camp to find that the Amalekites had raided and carried away all their wives and children. The men were understandably distraught, and David enquired of the Lord whether he should go after the enemy. When God said, “Yes,” David wasted no time. Let’s pick up the story there.
Keep Holding On
For a long time, every time I read this passage, I felt Jacob was being presumptuous. If you follow his life story, he wasn’t exactly a model believer. He lied and cheated on more than one occasion. His very name means “supplanter” or “deceiver.” Knowing that, doesn’t it seem rather bold to declare to God, “I won’t let go until you bless me”?
But, as I’ve grown in the faith, I’ve come to realize we should follow Jacob’s example. No, I don’t mean we should lie and cheat, but we should come to God boldly, determined we won’t let go until we receive that for which we came.