Enduring Footprints

“Footprints in the sands of time are not made by sitting down.” Holding on to hope in the midst of adversity requires perseverance, endurance, and just plain ole’ stubborn tenacity. If our life’s work is to leave footprints in the sands of time, it will be because we have chosen to hold a different course than the rest of the world.

The writer of Hebrews compares the Christian life to a race, saying, “since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1–2). As a race, the Christian life is not so much a sprint as a marathon. Speed is not required as much as stamina. Emphasized in this analogy is our need for endurance. But where do we find it?

Endurance is a gift from the Lord. God gives us perseverance and encouragement (Romans 15:5). God may use others as sources of encouragement and, thereby, help us develop greater endurance; but God is, nonetheless, our primary source of spiritual strength to finish the race.

One surprising way God provides strength is through suffering. Most would prefer to develop endurance in a less painful way, but there are no short-cuts to spiritual strength. Every successful runner knows the value of training. Running a 26-mile course is not a last-minute decision. Such requires a great deal of training so that, gradually, over the course of time enough endurance is built to sustain the journey and reach the finish line.

Similarly, trials and tribulations can help us develop greater spiritual endurance. When we turn to God for strength, we develop a stronger and deeper character, one that will see us through to the finish line. The grand and glorious hope of heaven inspires us to endure whatever comes our way in this life. Jesus is our goal and to be with Him forever in heaven is our strong hope. But we must continually fix our eyes on Him, trusting in His power and relying on His promises. Until our goal is realized, we must hold the course He has set before us. One day, looking back, we may discover two sets of footprints in the sand and realize that we were never really alone – that Jesus had been with us every step of the way.

~Glen Eliot