The Grind

Let’s face it there are times when -life is very boring and tiring. The reality for we who inhabit planet earth for now is that every day is NOT an adventure and every paycheck is Not a fortune! The repetitive, mundane tasks of everyday life can take their toll and have us longing to relive some of the exciting times in our lives.  Times when the adventure was high, the paycheck was large, the kids acted like civilized human beings, and the Lord was very near. Those mountain top experiences are few and far between.  No matter how often we visit the “Mountain of Jubilee” it’s in the “Valley of Ordinary” where we spend most of our time.  A great deal of our lives are spent grinding it out through yet another day.  And you know what?  That’s ok!   

There are times when we just have to grind out and endure the days, doing what we do, going about our lives, our loves, our work, even if it’s without the passion and vigor we would like to have.  However, it’s in these periods that our true character and faith are proven.  It’s in those “less than stellar” periods in life when the Lord shapes and hones us into who He wants us to be.   

Here is some advice for those of you who are on the “grinder” right now.  Perhaps you are one of us who is gutting out yet another day at the office, the factory, the classroom, or in the hospital and you feel like giving up.  These are from the Book:

1.       Live in the moment.  Stay focused on the work you have to do today.  Don’t let agitation and weariness distract you from what you need to be doing.  Jesus put it this way, “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”     Matthew 6.34

2.      Trust in the sovereignty of God.  He has you exactly where He wants you and you are doing exactly what He wants you to do-even if it seems less than thrilling at the moment.  The Apostle Paul-who was an expert at grinding it out-, rejoiced in God’s sovereignty, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God!  How unsearchable His judgments and untraceable His ways!”     Romans 11.33

3.      Keep the end in mind.  Life is a marathon not a sprint.  It’s better to rust out than to burn out. (read it again!).  The writer of Hebrews turns our attention to the Lord’s example of grinding it out during His earthly ministry.  “Fixing out eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”     Hebrews 12.2

4.      Whatever you do-DON”T QUIT!  God had made great and wonderful promises to those who endure and persevere and overcome.  In other words, those who hang in and grind it out have some promises to claim.  Here are just a few.  You will get to “eat of the Tree of Life”; You will not” be hurt by the second death”; “You will “receive hidden manna and a new name written on a white stone”; “You will have authority over nations”, You will be “clothed in white, your name will be written in the Book of Life, Jesus will confess you before the Father”; You will be a “pillar in the Temple of God and will bear the name of God”; You will rule and reign with Christ”.  Revelation 2.7; 11; 17; 26; 3.5; 12

Please read this oft quoted poem submitted by an anonymous author.  If you want an animated presentation of “Don’t Quit” click on this link: www.thedontquitpoem.com. 

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up though the pace seems slow--

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,

It seems to a faint and faltering man,

Often the struggler has given up,

When he might have captured the victor's cup,

And he learned too late when the night slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far,

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown