MARCH ON! PRESS ON! STAY STRONG!

Welcome friend to the first Monday in the month of March. We just experienced the end of the second month and for some of us, we've had life give us a front row seat in some "sledgehammer experiences". Well friend, don't be dismayed. The Father's words to you today is for you to go on ahead and keep moving. To not give up or get worn out in the middle of the journey.



All through scriptures(which have been given to us for comfort, edification and for strengthening) we see stories of persistence, of battles won when all but a drop of hope remained. These people had their lives imprinted on the pages of this great book so we could always have reference points in our days of great weakness.



Let's see a case study in Mark 2. A man who had been practically paralysed all over for God knows how long hears about a man called Jesus from his friends who they said could heal the sick and even chased out demons from afflicted persons. His hope rises and then days later he hears Jesus just left the village...again. Despair returns full force and he wonders why he ever hoped for more. So days later, his friends come back with great news. Jesus has returned and he's teaching at home.

The paralysed man's lying down there trying to squelch the hopeful feeling rising up in his heart like a germinating plant but he isn't able to, and tells his friend to help him get to Jesus. They lift him up on a makeshift stretcher, and they walk as briskly as possible, hearts full of joy and expectations. Getting there, they get the shock of their lives as they see the house- it's packed full! People pouring out from every known space and others struggling to get in but not even finding room to squeeze a hand through.

The dismayed paraplegic tells his friends, "Let's go back. We could try another day." and each man stands there, looking worn out and at his wits end, knowing that if they left they'd most likely never see the teacher again. Suddenly one of them jolts out of his reverie, a crazy thought(most likely dropped into his mind by a passing angel) taking root in and quickly creeping round his heart. "Why don't we make a hole in the roof and drop our friend through it?", he asks.

The other men(the paralyzed friend included) stare at him like he's just grown a second head and that head's conversing with the first. The possibilities of the many things that could go wrong fly through their heads as they think about it, but a voice keeps pushing them to just try and make a heartfelt effort. "Imagine what could happen if he actually got to see the teacher." the voice whispers, propelling them to act.

Each man quickly gets to work, instruments in hand, minds resolved to compensate the owners of the house for the damages, and full of Faith and Hope, they begin sawing and cutting through the roof to get a man on a stretcher across to Jesus! Imagine the shock on everyone's face when they spotted four "crazy" men trying against all odds to get their friend to Jesus regardless of the weariness, the fear of failure, and the taunts they'd have most likely received as they worked. Each man drawing strength from the faith stirred within has his mind fixed on one task- getting their friend to Jesus by any means necessary.

Their persistence pays off and their friend gets healed and each man leaves with a mindset foreved changed.

Beloved, this was written not just to excite you but to help you see that with the Father there is always a way forward. All you need to do is to not give up, but to press on in assurance, knowing that God can never fail. When things get too hard, take a pause and pray but always keep on moving. God is for you!



GO ACHIEVE
Diariesofhopelive@gmail.com