ENDURING TO THE END

After walking a half mile on the treadmill for the first time in years and realizing that I had another half mile to go, the temptation to quit was starting to increase.  The voice in my head kept screaming louder and louder "it's your first time exercising in years and you don't want to over do it so just quit now, you did good for your first time back."

Matthew 10:22 "But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

As I meditated on it while walking, I started casting down the thoughts of quitting and focused on enduring until the end.  Many quit before reaching their goal and never realize the joy of finishing the task.

You will always go through situations that tempt you to give up and miss the blessing that was in store for you.  Some have been taught that they will have it, if it is the will of God for them to.  "If it's meant to be, it will be."

That reasoning doesn't hold up in the light of scripture.  The idea here is that whatever the goal, you will not get it until you reach the end of the journey.  "Endure to the end" implies you get no prize until you reach the finish line.

Focusing on the end result, gives you strength to finish! 

Hebrews 12:1,2  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

After meditating the Word while walking on the treadmill, I finished two miles and the goal was to make it to one.  I went twice as far because I focused on the finish line instead of the place that I was at the time.   

(1.8 miles walking and .2 miles running= 2 miles)