September is almost over. You made it through the first month of school, the return to routine, the weight of the ordinary. You are still here. That matters more than you think. The man who is still standing in mid-September is the man who will be standing in December, and next June, and ten years from now. Steady hands are not built in a day. They are built in a thousand days like this one.
Scriptures
James 1:2-4
James says to count it all joy when you meet trials, because the testing of your faith produces steadfastness, and steadfastness has its full effect.
Hebrews 12:1-2
We are to run with endurance the race set before us, looking to Jesus, who for the joy set before him endured the cross.
Philippians 1:6
Paul is confident that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Guidance
James 1:4 says let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. The Greek word for steadfastness is the same word used for endurance, for staying power, for the ability to hold on when everything in you wants to let go. James is not talking about feeling strong. He is talking about being strong, and the only way to be strong is to stay under the weight long enough for God to finish what he started. You are not done yet. God is not done with you. The work he began in you the day you trusted Christ is still going, and it will keep going until the day you see him face to face. Every morning you get up and pray, every time you choose to love your wife, every day you show up and do the work, God is building something in you that will last. Not just for this life. For the next one. Steady hands are not built in a moment. They are built in a thousand moments like this one, when you chose to keep going. This week, look back at where you were a year ago. Look at what God has done. Then look ahead and trust him with what is coming. He is not done. He will finish what he started.
Notes from the Watch
I am grateful for you. Grateful that you are still here, still reading, still showing up. That is what faithfulness looks like. Not perfect. Not easy. Just present. God is building something in you that will last forever. Keep going. He will finish what he started. Grace and peace, Jeremy
One move this week
Look back at where you were one year ago. Write down one way God has grown you. Thank him for it. Then ask him to keep going.
