(This is a repost from several years ago from my Sunday Devotional With Mr.E series. I was feeling this, and thought I share it again if anyone else needed the message. If this isn't your thing...that's cool...scroll on!!)
During my freshman year of college I had a real make it or break it moment. I was wrestling with an assignment from my 2-D Foundations class. It seemed like I could not figure out what to do, how to do it, or even why I was doing it. I truly felt like giving up. It was the only time an art project made me cry. I even contemplated quitting college and moving back home (Yes, I know that is dramatic!) I thought that if a project in my very first studio class, my very first semester stressed me out so badly... that there would be no way I'd ever make it through four(+) years of college. Somewhere in the midst of the struggle, I decided that I'd not let this assignment get the best of me. I pressed onward and completed the project to the best of my ability. I would love to tell you it was an A+ work, that my professor praised my efforts, and that my fellow students were in awe of its beauty. However, I can not. Though it wasn't my greatest work of art...it still holds a special place in my heart. It showed me that I could push through frustration, insecurities, lack of understanding, lack of skill, and exhaustion to complete whatever task I found myself facing.
Therefore my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not the vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58
There have been times in most of our lives where we have cried out to God and told Him we're done...we're through...we quit. Whatever we're facing seems to have gotten the better of us, and we feel that we just can't do it any more. Work, family, friends, health, or even things going on in the church(An imperfect place with imperfect people...you better believe the struggle is real in the church as well!). God wants to hear from His children! Even when we are crying out in frustration He wants to hear our heart! We don't need to hold back. God wants to us to come to him with it all. However, he doesn't want our two weeks notice. He wants us to press on. He knows the ending, and He knows it is for our good & His glory that we continue through the pain, through the frustration, and see it through till the end. We must stand firm & let nothing get in the way of God's plan & direction for our lives. We must remember that nothing we do for the Lord will be in vain, but will reveal to us & those around us the goodness of God & His glory.
