By Your Endurance

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’ They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and, “The time is near!” Do not go after them. ‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. ‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls. Luke 21:5-19

I consider myself a long-distance swimmer. Not really a fast swimmer as much as I am able to keep moving and swim a mile or more with out tiring. Or at least I was until the past year. I cannot wait to get back in the water and develop my endurance again. Sprinting and going fast over short distances is easy compared to continuing on stroke after stroke, breathing and exhaling as the body moves ever forward. There is a wondrous beauty and reverent silence in going the distance, enduring through choppy waters and when there is no one to turn to but God.

Loving Creator, you draw us out of the sea

we are formed and shaped in living water

you breathe life into to every one of us

and set us each on the course of life.

We want to blaze through our growing

we want to set aside the learning for winning

we think life's trials are you abandoning us

yet you are by our side in every season.

Help us today to learn to swim in troubled waters

let us know the challenges as faith lessons

give us you patience to endure and go on

so that your love might flourish in our time. Amen.