Do we throw in the towel?

Hello folks. In my last blog I talked about running our race. Run and don't give up. A lot of that depends on our own attitude.  Do we have an attitude of being a loser, finished, done? Or do we have an attitude of being a winner, being victorious, a conqueror? 
Every time we come up against a wall, how do we react?  Do we push that wall over with determination?  That is what a winner does.  Someone who has positive hope. We must have that persistence, determination, perseverance.  
The recent progression of the leukemia was a surprise, kind of.  I could have put on that "woe is me" attitude, I could have had a big pity party.  But that is not part of my genetics. I will not have that kind of attitude.  
I had some more tests done this week, and it confirmed the leukemia has progressed.  It does explain many of my symptoms. I am so grateful the Lord led me to a new physician. I am grateful for the physicians I have that know me well enough to encourage me to get another opinion. 
With all that said, I had a choice of how I would receive this news.  Would I be in that "woe is me" attitude, or will I push through this wall and fight with my all.  I dare say, most of you know me well enough to know I will fight.  I will run to that victory line. 
Many of us go through something that can change our lives forever. But it may very well be our attitude that determines the outcome. Our Lord Jesus is always right here by my side. He guides me, encourages me, holds me, loves me.  It is only by the grace of God, and His love for me, that I can push forward through that wall. He is there for you as well. Trust Him. Lean on Him. Let Him help you. 
We all have a victory line waiting for us. Be encouraged friends.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UyilqXFOwjU

How badly do you want to win your race?

We all have a race to run. Your race will be different than my race.  But we all should have the same goal, I'd think. That goal- WINNING. 
When a long distance runner is running his race he paces himself with the finish line in mind. We need to approach our race the same way, pacing ourselves to make it to that finish line.  To win our own race.  
My race has just gotten a bit more intense.  The race for my life.  I have fought hard for over 40 years to maintain my pace for survival.  And I won't quit now or anytime soon.  The leukemia I have has jumped up a few notches. That explains the fatigue I've been battling along with some other symptoms. I could have taken that news and decided to quit my race and sit and sulk. But that is not in my DNA.  I will not quit, I will continue to run my race and fight hard to jump over those hurdles that come my way. 
There is a verse that encourages us to run that race to win. 
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. - 1 Corinthians 9:24
Whatever your race is, health, financial, emotional-run, don't give up.  Run your race to win it. 
We all have a different hurdle to jump over, with different intensity. But that does not mean your race is any less important than anyone else's.  
Our Lord God desires us all to win.  He wants success and victory for each one of us. 

So hang in there, stay strong, stay focused on your prize.  I intend to do the same, and I fully expect my victory is waiting for me at the finish line. 

Does our ministry ever change?

When I was praying about this next blog I was having a hard time coming up with the topic. I had several ideas but nothing was speaking clearly to me. i was thinking over the sermon from church yesterday, I was looking through my notes in my journal, and so on.  Then it came to me. There are times in our lives when we need to shift our focus, or change the aspect of our role in the Body.  We all are always called to be disciples and a vessel that God can use. But does that mean we do one specific thing forever. What has God called you to do?  
When I was thinking about this I began to recall the various ways God has used me throughout my lifetime. First let me say, the one thing that never changes is that we are to be in a personal relationship with God, read and study His Word, and obey Him. We need to make ourselves available to Him so that He can use us. This is always the same.  
Even though I have struggled with the spinal cord injury most of my adult life, I still knew God wanted to use me. I remember asking Him how could He use me. I am not a musician. I am not a singer. But I didn't have to be. I started in small ways, and so often I was reminded that every part of the ministry is important, no matter how small or how large. I was a door greeter.  I absolutely loved that. And I did that for several years. Then I became involved in the Creative Arts Ministry.  Again, I started off in a very small way.  Eventually acting, and even dancing.  Wow, talk about change. But I felt useful to God. And there were some other ways God chose to use me in. 
Then my spinal cord injury worsened. I had to stop all of those things that made me feel useful to God. I struggled with that.  I thought that God had truly called me to that ministry, why was it coming to an end? Because my mission was changing. 
I realized that God may want us to move on to something else.  He may want to use us in a different way.  So yes, I think our ministry may change at times. I am thankful for this. Without me being willing to be used by God in a different way, I would have been very lonely and unhappy.
So what has God given me at this time in my life as my ministry?  How does He want to use me?  You are seeing it right here.  The blogging. That's right, another unusual way that I could not see in myself. But God did, and more than that, He gives me the words to write, the stories to share.  I believe He is at work through this blog because I have made myself willing. 
So be encouraged, when one avenue closes, another opens up. He will use you if you are willing. All for God's glory.