While reading an educational newsletter which somehow found its way home with me, I came across a tidbit of information which inspired and encouraged me. I never knew that Thoedor Seuss, the much loved author of children's books had his first book rejected by 27 different publishers. The books that were not good enough for these publishers went on to sell more than 600 million copies worldwide. The manuscript I wrote is now hidden back in the bottom drawer of a file cabinet and only bears the scars of four rejections. Maybe it is time to get it back out and in the mail!
It is always easier to give up than it is to persevere. I have experienced this in trying to get a book published and I have also experienced it in my spiritual journey. Paul wrote a real word of encouragement to the Galatian believers and to all of us when he wrote, "So let us not grow weary in doing what is right..." (Galatians 6:9). And, of course, there is another word even more powerful found over in his letter to the Philippians, "...this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead..." (Philippians 3:13) Quitting is only an option for those of us who are content with mediocrity and just getting by with the bare minimum of efforts and blessings.
Discouragement can overtake any of us as we journey from where we are to the place where we are going. The important thing is not found in the markers that we might use to measure how far we have journeyed with God, but in the knowing that wherever we are between here and there, He is with us. What we sometimes forget is that the place God is always taking us is the present moment. No matter what the circumstances, and no matter how dark the discouragement, we can seek God and know Him in the present moment of our life for such is the place He abides.
It is always easier to give up than it is to persevere. I have experienced this in trying to get a book published and I have also experienced it in my spiritual journey. Paul wrote a real word of encouragement to the Galatian believers and to all of us when he wrote, "So let us not grow weary in doing what is right..." (Galatians 6:9). And, of course, there is another word even more powerful found over in his letter to the Philippians, "...this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead..." (Philippians 3:13) Quitting is only an option for those of us who are content with mediocrity and just getting by with the bare minimum of efforts and blessings.
Discouragement can overtake any of us as we journey from where we are to the place where we are going. The important thing is not found in the markers that we might use to measure how far we have journeyed with God, but in the knowing that wherever we are between here and there, He is with us. What we sometimes forget is that the place God is always taking us is the present moment. No matter what the circumstances, and no matter how dark the discouragement, we can seek God and know Him in the present moment of our life for such is the place He abides.
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