The Wall

"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus..." (Hebrews 12:1-2) Ask any marathon runner about Mile 20. They call it "The Wall." At Mile 20, your body runs out of stored glycogen (fuel).

Your legs feel like cement. Your brain screams: "STOP! Why are we doing this? This is stupid! Just quit!" Every runner hits The Wall. The difference between a Finisher and a Quitter is what they do at Mile 20.

The Amateur thinks: "Something is wrong. I should stop." The Pro thinks: "This is normal. I just have to push through." In your spiritual journey, you will hit The Wall. Maybe it's Year 5 of your marriage.

Maybe it's a season of unanswered prayer. Maybe it's a dry spell in ministry. You will feel like quitting. You will think, "If God was with me, it wouldn't be this hard." That is a lie. The Wall is not a sign to stop; it is a test of Endurance .

You don't need a miracle to clear The Wall; you just need Grit . You just need to take one more step. And then another.

The Greek word for perseverance is Hupomone . It literally means "remaining under." It is the ability to stay under a heavy load without collapsing. Eugene Peterson calls the Christian life "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction."

We love the "Sprint" (the exciting start). We love the "Finish Line" (the reward). But the Christian life is mostly the middle miles. God is forged in the boring, painful middle. Reflect on this: Have you hit a wall recently?

Are you looking for an "exit ramp" (a new job, a new church, a new spouse) just to escape the pain? Don't exit. Push through. Your "second wind" is waiting for you on the other side of The Wall. 👣 Take a Step Action: The Commitment.

Identify the area where you want to quit. Pray: "Lord, I am at the wall. My legs are tired. But I will not quit. I will take one more step today. Give me Hupomone."