The Plumbline

But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion. It won’t be long now, he’s on the way; he’ll show up most any minute. But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust; if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy. But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way. (Hebrews 10:36 MSG) 'Sticking it out' might not be the most popular thing to do at times, but it is the wisest choice we make if we choose to 'stick it out' with Jesus! The more we resist the temptation to be part of this world's norms, the more we might be labeled as goody-two-shoes by some. There is nothing wrong with being seen as making righteous choices, though - it just might mean the ones noticing the difference in our choices and are more than a bit curious about why we make them. Loyal trust isn't going to cut and run, is it? The times may change and it could get a bit harder to remain fa...

There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! (Romans 5:3-4) Guess what - - - if you are living and breathing on this earth, God isn't finished with you yet! Continue on as he directs your course - there is much more waiting for you to both learn and see completed in your life and in the lives of those you will touch each day. Troubles might attempt to weigh us down, but troubles are his specialty! We don't need to give into their 'emotional weight' - he has already born that 'weight' at the cross and prepared the specific answer...