Giving It Our Very Best

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

Change is difficult and sometimes even seems impossible. Change all starts with a decision, a choice and a single step.  Notice I said change STARTS with a single step, but change does not actually happen or remain because of a choice or single step.

I still remember something Pastor Bill Raws said many years ago: “A step is not a walk.” He was right; a step in the right direction is only a step. A walk requires one step after another after another after another.

Perhaps you remember the death crawl scene in the movie “Facing the Giants”. I pulled it up on YouTube[i] to watch it again as I prepared this Victory Call and tears are streaming AGAIN!! This is a masterful scene.  The football coach challenges Brock, one of the team leaders, to do the death crawl, blindfolded with a man on his back.  As the player starts to feel the burn in his legs, coach keeps yelling the entire length of the field – “KEEP GOING”, “KEEP DRIVING”, “I WANT EVERYTHING YOU GOT”, “DON’T QUIT, DON’T QUIT”, “DON’T QUIT TILL YOU GOT NOTHING LEFT”, “YOUR VERY BEST, YOUR VERY BEST, KEEP GOING”, “DON’T GIVE UP”. Even as the player strains with the effort, dripping sweat, “HE’S HEAVY” “IT’S HARD” “IT HURTS” “IT BURNS” – the coach yells, “I KNOW IT’S HARD – KEEP GOING”.

What if we took this mindset towards change in our life – seeking after God in obedience even when it’s hard, even when it hurts, we keep going, doing our very best? We would experience far more victories (already won by Jesus at the Cross) by the grace, power and strength of God.

I’m not talking about legalism or walking in our own strength, rather I’m talking about persevering – pressing in, pressing on – giving God our very best.  I think when we are confronted by temptation to fall back into sin, we give up far too easily.  Do we give our fight against sin our very best?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.  In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:1-4

IT’S HARD! IT HURTS!  KEEP GOING. GIVE IT EVERYTHING YOU GOT. DON’T QUIT. GIVE IT YOUR VERY BEST, YOUR VERY BEST!

Change is only going to happen as we claim our victory in Jesus Christ over and over and over, not once or twice but dozens and dozens and dozens of time. “(God) is looking for hearts in constant pursuit of Him and His righteousness. Long-term victory results from many short-term victories that finally collide forming new habits.” Beth Moore – Praying God’s Word

As Brock made his way down the length of the field his fellow teammates, who were laughing and joking as he started, slowly started to rise to their feet in unbelief, stunned by the effort their teammate was putting out.  They wanted to see with their own eyes this amazing feat. They watched with great interest as they drew closer and closer to see what was happening.
I believe in our pursuit of godly change in our life – doing our very best – not giving up but pressing on by pressing in, people around us will take notice. Believers and non-believers alike will draw near to see with their own eyes this amazing transforming work of God.

Blessings,
Diane

[i] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sUKoKQlEC4&t=8s  Facing the Giants – Death crawl

Diane Hunt serves part-time on the staff of America’s Keswick providing ministry support from her home in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.