Netzach of Netzach - Endurance of Endurance: Say What?

I feel as though my endurance is waning....!  I am exhausted!  I have worked six days in a row this past week while being sick at least two of those days and having my youngest son's musical performance the next night.  That being said, I had only two nights of free time to write, (and had to forgo another musical performance by my son on another night to have that much free time).  Then my oldest son and his family came for a visit yesterday and today and we were able to babysit the two grandsons, but that was a true delight!!!  As you can see from the picture I am not use to having two little boys around and I am one exhausted grandma!!!

But, endure I must!  Now what is the meaning of Endurance of Endurance?  Are you just enduring for the sake of enduring or do you endure with a purpose?  Even if there is a purpose, is it your purpose?  Let me give you an example:  there are many people who fill jobs within the church just because they need to be filled.  The problem with that scenario is, those people aren't the ones who should be filling them.  Have you or someone you know fallen into this trap before?  It's called the 80/20 principle.  80% of the work is done by 20% of the people.  God did not design His body to work this way.

God speaks to the heart of each individual to do a specific job within the body, but unfortunately we don't always listen.  When one person doesn't do the job God has for them, another person steps in and takes on the task and usually does it out of guilt.  At other times we start out performing a task we have originally been asked to do by God, Himself.  As time goes on He may ask us to move on to something greater, but whether out of disobedience or fear, we balk.  The end result is that we stay on and on and on in the original task until we are ineffective and the person who is now supposed to be performing the task has grown disheartened with no place to serve.

Paul reminds us of this aspect in Romans 12:4-8

"For just as there are many parts that compose one body, but the parts don't all have the same function; so there are many of us, and in union with the Messiah we comprise one body, with each of us belonging to the others.  But we have gifts that differ and which are meant to be used according to the grace that has been given to us  If your gift is prophecy, use it to the extent of your trust;  if it is serving, use it to serve; if you are a teacher, use your gift in teaching; if you are a counselor, use your gift to comfort and exhort; if you are someone who gives, do it simply and generously; if you are in a position of leadership, lead with diligence and zeal; if you are one who does acts of mercy, do them cheerfully." 

Now, what is your place of endurance?  Do you know what God wants you to do?  Is it very clear?  God will never ask you to do something you absolutely hate.  He will give you a love and desire for the things He asks you to do and He will also give you a gift in that area.  If you really don't know, ask yourself this question; "what do people tell me about myself all the time?"  Do people comment that you are a good listener?  Do they say you are a good teacher?  Do people tell you a lot that you always encourage them?  Have you been blessed financially and is your heart touched by a need on a regular basis to the point where you contribute financially to that need?

Are you serving in the area you know you fit well into?  If not, why not?  Is it out of fear?  Have you had a bad experience in that area and your confidence went down the tubes?  Have you never stepped up to even try anything due to a low self image?  Did you deal with your low self-esteem a couple of weeks ago when we talked about that?  If you continue to listen to those voices in your head that say, "you can't do that.  You aren't good enough to do that.  You aren't smart enough to do that.  Who do you think you are with your past to do those things?", then you are saying that you are greater than God.  Have you ever thought about it that way?  You are saying, "I am smarter than God, I know more than He does and I know that He could never do what He says He will do."  You see, God says,

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you."  Jeremiah 1:5

"Who are you, a mere human being, to talk back to God?  Will what is formed say to Him who formed it, 'Why did you make me this way?'"  Romans 9:20

So, what is your area of endurance?  When you figure it out or come to a place of surrender in it, then jump in.  If there is no place to serve in that ministry at your church, keep praying about it and looking.  Keep seeking for the place He wants you to serve in the area He has equipped you to serve and do not stop enduring in that endeavor.  Endure in this endurance.  Keep on keeping on!!!!!!!   And when you find that place, endure there until God gives you a new assignment!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shalom!!!!!!