The Unflappable Champion

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“He gathered up His courage and steeled Himself for the journey” (Luke 9:51, The Message).

There are some things that require little effort, and yield small results. Many people content themselves to spend their days in just such trivial pursuit. Will you settle for being one of them? F. W. Boreham wrote, “There is no intellectual stimulant so intoxicating as the formation of a noble purpose, the conception of a sudden resolve, the making of a great decision.”

There is talk these days of vision. But vision is much more than a good idea that stirs the soul to temporary endeavors. Vision is the ability to see it, the faith to believe it, the courage to do it, and the hope to endure until it happens. Take any of these components away and vision fails. Each is vital, and indispensable. Do you have vision for your life?

Jesus does.

He sees you as an overcomer; as one who has been forgiven, cleansed, and empowered to make a difference. He sees you as someone who is following in His steps; and He is the unflappable Champion. In the same manner that He "gathered up His courage and steeled Himself for the journey" -- He sees you doing the same.

Courage is the mental and moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear or difficulty. The journey we have undertaken as followers of Christ demands all the courage we possess. It requires of us a steely, unwavering resolve to meet whatever seeks to delay us, defeat us, detour us, or deny us – to meet such things with a faith that says, “Nevertheless!”

God’s Spirit has given us an ingrained capacity to face the strain and stress of faithfulness with fortitude, patience, and joy. Thus did Jesus walk up Calvary’s mountain one dreadful morn, and there face unflinching the dark trinity of Satan, Sin, and Death. And there, on a hill far away, our Lord did win a resounding victory.

And, be sure of this one fact – He did it for you! That victory is now yours. Lay claim to it by faith, and you, like Jesus, can gather up your courage and steel yourself for the journey of a lifetime.
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