The One Who Never Gives Up

When I was in highschool my relay team qualified to race in the state school sports. We trained most lunchtimes for the 6 weeks leading up to the championships. On the final day of training one of us dropped the baton. Our principal was horrified and decided that we were not allowed to compete! Obviously our parents weren’t happy with this decision and they all jumped on the phone that night demanding a change of heart. He called us all in for one more trial at 6:30am the next day. If we could complete the lap without dropping the baton we could step onto the bus and head to the competition. Thankfully we made it to the championships that day.

I wonder has anyone ever given up on you? When that happens there's a whole gamet of emotions that we go through. Why did I try in the first place? What am I supposed to do now? Should I try again? Were our expectations even the same?

Our principal wanted us to represent the school he was so proud of. If we were going to compete, he wanted us to win. Our parents, on the other hand, just wanted us to be involved, to experience running on the State’s finest track along with hundreds of other kids.

God is not our school principal. He’s not raging on the sidelines, horrified that we keep dropping the baton. He’s cheering us on as we navigate people’s expectations of us and the inevitable emotions that follow. And He will never ever give up.

“Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent...In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalms 4:1,8 NLT
"...He who has begun a good work in you will complete it..." Philippians 1:6 NKJV
“And let us not grow weary while doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9 NKJV
Undone

He's not gonna leave me undone
His palms are still moulding
My heart for the Son
What feels like a breaking’s
Design in the making
He’s not gonna leave me undone

You’ll never, ever, ever walk out on me
You will keep writing each page of my destiny
Never will I ever lose my security
You’ll never give up on me

He’s not gonna leave me undone
His palms are just working on
What I’ll become
What feels like a shaking
Makes beauty breathtaking
He’s not gonna leave me undone

You’ll never, ever, ever walk out on me
You will keep writing each page of my destiny
Never will I ever lose my security
You’ll never give up on me

My Warrior Music Video

Fruit for the giver

For even in Thessalonīca you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphrodītus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:16-19 NKJV

I love Gods economy. In this passage it's the people doing the giving who end up getting their needs supplied. I am privileged to have as friends amazing givers who haven't waited till they had money to spare but often gave out of their own lack - God has supplied all their needs! There are so many testimonies out there of God's provision!

What's found at the end of my rope

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13 NKJV

I read these verses Saturday morning in the midst of chaos at home. Hubby has done something to his back that's kept him flat, and running a household of six with one man down is...stressful...but the show must go on - there are still babies to feed, clean, love and nurture, oh, and a church to pastor! I've had these words running through my head constantly - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Actually, at the moment I can't imagine doing anything other than lying in bed apart from Christ who strengthens me!

Reading these verses again today I was struck by this idea of people having opportunity to show they care. Amidst the tears there have been moves of kindness that have left me awestruck by the beauty of friendship and the depth of mate ship - near and far, some even intercontinental.

Thinking on things

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy— meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Pilippians 4:8,9 NKJV

I will never forget when one of my all-time heroes, my Nana, taught me this passage - I took it to heart and began throwing out things that didn't measure up. Dodgy music, grotty romance novels, I even made a point of not picking up trashy magazines in doctors clinics! The impact this began to have on my thought life was amazing! Things that had formerly been a bit of an escape became unattractive and I found myself filling my head instead with inspiring dreams, creative and uplifting ideas, plans to encourage people rather than complain...the list goes on. And the God of peace, the very source of all these ideas, has been backing them all along the way!

Peace that surpasses understanding

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7 NKJV

During the night I was so tired, distressed and frustrated with my waking (and of course crying) baby, that I curled up in a ball and started speaking in tongues! Instant peace set in. It reminded me of being in labour with my fourth baby. No drugs, but plenty of speaking in tongues! I realised that this heavenly language is what flows out of me when I am at the end of my own strength; when my full dependence is on God. And it's always accompanied by peace that surpasses understanding!

Laying hold of that for which Jesus laid hold of me

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV

I was asked earlier this week how I came out of ministry burnout and the first thing that came to mind was that we began remembering the prophecies and dreams that we'd had about ministry. In a sense, forgetting what's behind and reaching toward the things ahead is what brought back the hope and the motivation to go on! I am determined to press on and lay hold of that for which Jesus' laid hold of me! What's that? In one word, HOPE!

Losing all things for Jesus?

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection... Philippians 3:7-10 NKJV

I have wrestled with this passage all week. I was trying to compare suffering the constant loss of people in my life to Paul suffering the loss of his social standing as a zealous, righteous Pharisee or his loss of physical freedom. They didn't compare very well! Paul's talking about things that seem important before you know Christ but lose their significance once He fills that place. I don't think he piled relationships into his use of "all things". Despite being in jail Paul hadn't lost his relationships - the existence of this and all his other letters proves that! On the contrary, gaining Christ brings new light on relationships - they are no longer grabbed at out of need for self worth or fulfillment but are treasured as glimpses of God's image on earth! Relationships are never really lost, just change in appearance!

Having no confidence in the flesh

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Philippians 3:3 NKJV

This is such a freeing concept if we can get our heads around it. The Complete Jewish Bible translates this phrase as having no confidence in human qualifications. We spend a large part of our lives becoming qualified to do things, not simply to be equipped, but largely because other people are competing for the same positions. There's no limit to positions in God's economy. Being equipped is great, but if we see opportunities to reflect God's glory without worrying that we're good enough, imagine how much of God would be reflected!!

Glad to be poured out

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Philippians 2:14-17

Our culture hates the thought of being walked over or treated as a doormat. In fact it's more acceptable to be complaining and disputing than it is to be seen as blameless and harmless. Paul doesn't seem to mind though. He'd rather know that he hasn't put all that effort into holding fast to the Word of Life, to then see those he discipled blend into the crowd just as crooked as everyone else. He was glad to be poured out if it meant others were standing strong in their faith!

God's working in you for His good pleasure

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12,13 NKJV

The key to applying this passage is knowing who is doing what. Thankfully it's God's job to work His will in us and our job to put our faith and trust in Him. I work out my salvation each day simply by spending time with Him and building my faith and trust in Him. John 6:27 says not to labour for food which perishes but to labour for that which endures to everlasting life and is given by Jesus. When asked what work we should do, He said to "believe in Him".

I guess believing/trusting is called working out our salvation because it doesn't come naturally to us, and therefore requires effort, not because we are earning something. That's probably why we shy away from using the word work when talking about salvation. We know it's God's grace that has saved us, not anything we do/could ever do ourselves.

Stepping up and stepping out, not stepping back

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV

I've been thinking about what it means here to have the 'mind of Christ' or more specifically to 'humble ourselves'. Strong's concordance defines the use of 'humble' here as Jesus 'stooping to the condition of a servant'. We know from how He lived that 'making Himself of no reputation' didn't mean Jesus gave up or neglected what He could serve others with. Humbling oneself appears more about stepping up and stepping out with what we have to serve others rather than stepping back.

Whether in pretence or in truth...

Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill...What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. Philippians 1:15,18 NKJV

Something that cuts me to the heart is when my motives are questioned. I think alot of us avoid stepping out and speaking up because of what others may think our motives are. Paul wasn't worried about people's motives in speaking about Jesus - He just wanted the word to get out! I am learning more and more not to be afraid to declare what Jesus has done! If it's perceived as coming from a wrong motive, so be it; at least the word is getting out!

God's providence and my chains

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Philippians 1:12-14 NKJV

What are my chains? What's weighing on me but will actually turn out for the furtherence of the gospel? I think my chains are this deep connection I have to people who are now all over this nation and other countries - a connection that usually grieves me because attached to it is a sense of longing and loss, but a connection that brings me a huge sense of anticipation because I know we are connected for a reason! A greater reason that will unfold over time...

My prayer

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3-11 NKJV

This was an emotional passage for me. It reminded me of all the friends I've been in ministry with who I now don't see regularly. They are in different seasons and different circles now, but still so close to my heart. This is my prayer for you, mighty warriors.