830 - Enduring

So today - Lord Jesus you sent me to 1 Tim. 6:12, but it was actually one verse before that really struck a cord in me. "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness." That was verse 11. The part that really stumped me was the pursue endurance. I can understand the righteousness, godliness, faith, love, and gentleness, but the endurance. I was not thinking so much about pursuing it, but just that you must have it. Like you grab it as if grabbing it before the fight happens, before you take off to fight and keep going it. But this is more like your pursue it, run after it, chase after it - chase after something that will help you to keep chasing...

So I had to go to the special books and find out more. This endurance is like patience, or bearing up under, persevere. I so think about being patient with people, but that actually is a different Greek word. This endurance is specifically the word for endurance or patience as to things or circumstances. Now I love this. There is no doubt we are called to be patient with people and endure them - holy cow do we have to endure them at times and others enduring me. But in Eph. 6 the Word reminds us that we are not fighting against flesh and blood - people - but against the evil world and its team and schemes. When we remember that and put things in perspective that is real endurance. While the evil one may use people to seemingly be against us or you or me - it is actually the scheme, plan, circumstance, or things that we need to have endurance with.

So how do i pursue this endurance? How do I chase after something that seems like I should already possess? I think the key to it all is making sure we have on the Armor of God each and everyday - making sure during the day we don't change clothes - at critical moments we don't forget to pick up the sword - if we take a nap we make sure it is appropriate and not in selfishness - making sure we know who we are fighting and that it is not flesh and blood even though it may so appear to be that way. Oh Lord - help me to be mindful of all this. Lord I want to pursue the things of You. I want you! I know there is a good fight to fight, but that also means that there is probably fights or battles not worth fighting. Help me to discern the Truth and to walk in that. Help me to know when to fight and when to hold off. Along the way help me to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, gentleness, and endurance. Lord, you are my all and all. I want you you so desperately in my life, breath, down to the marrow of my bones. Fill me to the brim with your Spirit today and may I walk worthy of the calling! I love you!