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Don't Give Up

             Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.  You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.  So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.  (Hebrews 10:32-36)

Remember when you started that project, hobby, or relationship? There might have been some fear but there was probably more excitement.   There were probably people who got in the way, you were going to do this thing, whatever it was. Then, as time passed, the thrill dissipated, the pain and fatigue caused by opposition got to you. I’m reminded of what I call the “Yuck Factor” when the creative project begun seems to be irredeemably flawed, and whatever talent you may thought you’d had has resulted in disappointment. You’re never going to learn, it’s never going to work, etc.

This is a natural part of the process of learning, growing, creating, and doing anything new. The recipients of the letter to the Hebrews had faced hardship when they first turned to Christ, and they stood firm. But time passed, and doubts crept in. The victory you thought you’d had may have been there for a time, but now it’s tarnished or missing.

The warning the author of Hebrews gives those to whom he wrote (including us) is to not throw away that sense of excitement, dedication, joy, or whatever. It may not feel as if the remaining tiny flame is worth it, but we are to stoke the fire anyway. It might be what keeps us alive. Continuing to trudge along may be what gets us to take the one more step that will take us to where we’ll see an inspiring view. Hitting the nail one more time may be what drives it into the wood. And even if what we’re doing seems to be for nothing (at the moment,) if we keep going, we may find it precious.

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