Keeping On

I thought the autumn of 2019 was a hard season to keep on keeping on. I know. It's laughable now to me too. But I did learn something from the semi-hard season that is serving me through the exceptionally tough year 2020 has been for all of us.

I learned how to keep my keeping on tank filled and identify when it is running dangerously low. You see, I am a fairly idealistic person, and I form lofty goals when I get passionate about something, especially something new. I started my new job and writing calling with vigor in the fall of 2019, and like most people, many of those goals have been halted or changed by the coronavirus. Before this past season, where God helped me rebuild my identity, I would have pushed past the obstacles working myself half to death to keep the goals on track. Achievements were my sense of worth, so I had to obtain my goals, come hell or high-water lest I feel totally worthless.

But God, let me walk through a season of ambiguity, in both my job and call to write, to train me in a new way that would protect me in any season. He also showed me how the Devil was trying to use over busyness to keep me distracted from even noticing the lies He was attempting to implant in my head about who I was. It was a daily battle of slipping back into overworking habits, getting called out by the Holy Spirit, and receiving grace to try again. But it worked; I learned a new way.

I learned that when I choose to keep company with God, despite my pages-long to-do list, He shows me His easier way. I find freedom in the already-won battle. I find strength that fuels me to begin again. I find grace to overcome shame. Best of all, I find a love so extravagant it fills me up again so I can pour out for Him. I find all these things by choosing to keep company with Him.

The thing we must understand is it is a choice. God is always there, with His face turned on us. But we often have our face turned toward whatever it is our heart is seeking. In that season, I decided to do lunch with God every day, and I still do it most days. This choice is no little thing. It is a sacrifice to God over the production idol that often tempts me. And it is always worth it because it's easy for the Enemy to keep us focused on achievements instead of God. And when our eyes are off God, Satan has a better chance of making you forget how much He loves you and has freed you. Then the Enemy can speak lies, which become bad actions.

But when we spend time with God, He renews our mind, and we forget the lies. This is your Helmet of salvation. Keep company with Him, and He will restore you.

The key to keep your keeping on tank filled is to spend time with God. It is so amazingly simple, but I am here to tell you from experience all hell is against it because it is so effective. You will literally have to fight to choose to keep company with Him. There are a million things to distract you that the Enemy will bring to your attention. But when you take the time, you will find He is the source of your strength and loves you whole. It works in semi-hard seasons and exceptionally tough ones too.

Let's Pray:
Father, help me keep my eyes focused on you through good times, semi-hard times, and exceptionally hard seasons. Please help me to fight the distractions so I can go to the source of what I truly need. You are so good to meet us right where we are and give us exactly what we need to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Thank you for your goodness. In Jesus's name, Amen.