Because I Needed To

 

Here is a call

for the endurance and faith

of the saints.

           Revelation 13. 10

(In training for a marathon,

I often came to the point

asking why I had to do

   a particular hard training run.

Because I needed to.

The strength I required

  could come no other way.

Endurance is built in tiny layers,

over time with intentional endeavors,

another mile in the cold or rain

     or beating sun.

We cannot realize in this moment

how what we are experiencing

will get us through

    the far distant future,

or perhaps even this afternoon.

The situations we are going through

   are neither random or meaningless,

but part of God's training program

   to strengthen us,

to make us firm and faithful,

       walking with Him.

We will all need these unexpected

     and hidden strengths after all

   in the course of our lives.)

O LORD,

You know exactly what we need,

not just for the now

           but for the next,

not just for our own well-being,

   but in strengthening others.

Help us to accept and seize

  the opportunities

  You have placed in our hands

and on our paths

  that we may endure hardship

      with a different heart

to become faithful and strong

                 in You.