As I listen to many Christians talk, it is quite obvious that they are discouraged. They say, "I'm doing what I believe God wants me to do, but it is just not exciting. I"m doing the same things "so & so" is doing, but my life is just not as exciting as theirs." At this point they begin to talk about quitting the work that they believe God has called them to do. It is true that some people start things for the wrong motives. However, when we know that God has given us a particular race to run, we have a responsibility to resist discouragement and run that race with endurance until it is completed.

Websters defines to endure as: to put up with; to with stand, to continue in existence; last. The Apostle Paul was a man who exemplified this definition. He knew that his race was not going to be a sprint, but a marathon and would require endurance much like a long distance runner. I believe he had 3 characteristics which caused him to run his race with endurance.

2. He stayed with his call.

When the Apostle Paul was tempted to become discouraged during hard times in his life, he placed the Word of God ahead of feelings and emotions about the situation. Heb. 12:1-3 says: "Let us lay aside every weight and sin; and let us run with endurance the race set before us looking unto Jesus; lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."

Paul was looking to Jesus as his example. In difficult times Paul asked himself, "What does God say about this situation?" Then he let the word of God be the deciding factor about how he responded to the situation. This attitude caused Paul to run with endurance and say with confidence, "Now thanks be to God who always leads us to triumph in Christ." II Cor. 2:14. This must also be our attitude and confession if we expect to run our race with such endurance.

If we are truly interested in God's will for our lives he will show us. Once we know His will we should stay with that call no matter what the cost. Because with that call that God has given us comes all the grace that we need to fulfill that call.

We live in what I call a "flash and hype" generation. People scramble everywhere to purchase the newest addition of their favorite technology item, simply because it is flashier than the model they have. It is not necessarily wrong to have such things, because God is a good father who wants to bless his children with nice things. However, many times this "flash and Hype" attitude carries over into people's spiritual life.

As long as something is new and exciting many have no problem resisting discouragement, but when they have to work long and hard without a lot of fanfare, it is very easy to look around for newer and more exciting things to do. At this point, it is also very easy to look around at other people and compare our race with other people's race.

We must resist this temptation. II Cor. 10:12 says: "But they measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves among themselves are not wise." Everywhere Paul went, people continually tried to compare his race with the race of other people. Paul was determined to stay with his call and not compare himself to other people. Your call is very important in the plan of God. So, stay with your call.    

I am not advocating laziness because the Bible tells us in Prov. 6:6-11 that laziness is a quick way to failure. However, good ideas are not always "God ideas". A "God idea" for you may just be a good idea for someone else and vice versa. We must use Godly discretion in this area or some of our good ideas will become weights around our neck and hinder us in our race.

Exodus 18:13-24 tells us Moses, as the leader of the Israelites, came out daily to judge the affairs of the people from morning until evening. Moses' father in law, Jethro, recognized and told Moses that what he was doing would cause both him and the people to become weary. At first, Moses defended his position and explained to Jethro the necessity of what he is doing for God and the people.

Jethro then advises Moses to select some Godly men to help and then advises Moses this: "if you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure and all this people will also go to their place in peace." Moses knew Jethro's advice was a "God idea" because Moses had probably already begun to feel weary from his work load. Jesus followed this same example by delegating responsibility to His disciples.

God ideas are always profitable and worth the time and effort. As Christians our race here is more like a marathon race than a sprint. Marathon runners know that keeping their eyes on the goal and building endurance will cause them to finish their race.

We have more need of endurance than starting power. Anyone can start a race, but only those with endurance will finish their race. I believe the application of the 3 previously discussed points will help to keep us from being weighted down by the things in life that try to drain us of endurance.

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