“Keep Going”

If you’ve been hanging with me for any length of time, you would know that I’m a sports fan and I love a healthy competition. There’s much for me to be thankful for in the sports arena, and not just from a spectator’s view.

Growing up with a congenital defect commonly known as “knock knees,” I was prone to limitations with agility and speed. Complicated with childhood asthma and having parents that were very (and if you ask me ‘overly’) protective regarding my condition, I was prohibited from ‘exerting’ myself and sternly warned about possible consequences.

However, the resilience gene in me would surface to the top and I would ultimately defy all odds. I ran for leisure (not fast, but I could do my time around that four-hundred yard track a few times in a single bout), played co-ed racquetball in high school (trained by Coach Zamparini – the brother of the known WWII soldier that was taken prisoner by the Japanese army and survived), played volleyball having been coached by my island sistahs from Samoa (“Talofa!”), cheerleading, drill team and finally … became a certified fitness instructor and personal trainer for over two-and-a-half decades.

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Do not forsake the work of your hands. Psalm 138:8 ESV

Yes, healthy defiance (which was truly a compliance with GOD’s design) actually paid it forward for me and protected me for the road ahead. It was not easy. I had many, many moments of doubt and disappointment. I was the least likely person to have accomplished what I eventually would. But the Lord taught me so much about Himself throughout this unforgettable journey.

Looking in the rearview mirror, I can exhale and shout, “Thank You, Jesus, for not letting me throw in the towel!” All that hard work certainly was for my good.

I’ll be honest with you, I was not always excited in those sweaty moments. I often questioned if I was even doing the right thing by being there. And yet, that still small Voice from deep within my soul would whisper: “Keep going, Linda.” So, I did.

Trusting the process.

Believing in your calling.

Knowing that GOD will always make good on your obedience.

Have confidence in His Will.

Leave the outcome to Him.

Let me encourage you, Sweet Friend, if you’re feeling like you’ve already blown your goals for the new year. Things don’t always look the way we want them to look, because we’ve got these pair of limited human eyes and human thought processes that will interpret what we see into all sorts of versions of this and that.

Just as we tend to think that when GOD grants the outcome of requested prayer to unfold in the manner we would hope, we call it answered prayer. Consider this truth: GOD always answers prayer. What we mistakenly do is anticipate the outcome we want to see. We forget the part Jesus taught us: ” … nonetheless, not my will but Yours, Father, be done.” Our prayers should be graced and amen-ed with “according to the way You see fit, help me to see it, too.” Let that soak in for a moment.

saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42 ESV

This game from which I captured the photo above was oh-so-close. A one-point game in which the outcome would determine which team would advance further into the playoffs. Both teams had strived through many challenges during the season. Turnovers have a way of resetting the final moments. From a spiritual standpoint, we may call it a breakthrough. You don’t have to forfeit your season of accomplishing newly set goals because something looks like a setback. Keep going, Friend. You’ve got at least fifty-one more weeks ahead of you. The life experiences will be foundational to life lessons that will equip you for the next step that has already been paved for you. You can do this because Jesus has called you to it!

Follow Jesus’ Example

12 We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. ² Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But he accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. ³ Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying. Luke 12:1-3 NCV

I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary