Everyone has heard the saying, “God does for us what we can’t do for ourselves.” But as I continue to grow my spiritual program of action, I’m realizing there may be something just as important: God won’t do for us what we can do for ourselves. God has lifted me from some of the darkest, most hopeless moments of my life and somehow helped me begin my way back toward living a meaningful life. The longer I continue, the more hope I see coming into my life. Continue seeking Him.
Continue developing a relationship with Him.
Continue trying to live the life His will has laid out for me. There is action—and more action—to be taken. I’m not saying I do any of this perfectly. I don’t. I continue to try to do better. Sometimes it’s as simple as pausing in the middle of my day and bringing God into my heart, wherever I am and whatever I’m doing. Sometimes it’s choosing to do what is right or simply being kind in a given situation. Because I’m flawed, I have plenty of opportunities to practice all of this. I grew up in a team-room atmosphere where teammates were always ripping on one another. So it can be easy for me to make fun of someone I see walking through my day, chalk it up to a harmless laugh, and tell myself, “They didn't hear me. No harm done.” But then I remember that just hours earlier I had asked God to help me not be judgmental of others. I can justify it. Or I can hold myself accountable. I’m trying to choose the latter. I remind myself: This isn't who I want to be. This isn't how I want to treat another one of God's children. Forgiveness has also been on my mind a lot lately. I know I need to continue putting action behind my growth in that area too. I cannot sit back and expect God to handle everything. I need to remain active.
I need to remain diligent.
I need to keep living the spiritual principles of my program. This program is miraculous. I've seen miracle after miracle in the lives of others. Some of those miracles haven't necessarily happened in my own life yet, but I have faith that things will work out if I continue. My track record used to be stopping when things got too hard. When life became difficult enough, I would eventually reach that point where quitting seemed like the only option. I don't see that happening today. What I've built on bedrock is sturdy and strong. So strong that the things that used to take me to my quitting point don't have the same power over me anymore. I've proven to myself that when I continue, I gain hope and strength. Consistently doing the little things well has consistently led to better outcomes. It's not easy. But it's worth it. Especially when I compare it to the alternative. Even when I'm forced to take things slowly, I'm reminded that there are still things I can do. Things I can work on. Things I can move toward. Sometimes I wish all of this were physical. I understand physical challenges. I could just throw more strength at them, make an adjustment, work harder, and try again. That's where I'm comfortable. But spiritual growth doesn't always work that way. I heard a saying once: “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” Those words landed hard for me. And I've come to understand that they are only true if I continue. So maybe the word for today is simply: CONTINUE. Continue seeking God. Continue taking action. Continue practicing forgiveness. Continue choosing kindness over judgment. Continue doing the things I can do and trusting God with the things I can't. Continue when it's easy. Continue when it's hard. Continue when I don't understand. Continue when I don't see the outcome yet. God will do what I'm unable to do. But if I'm able to do something, I need to go do it. The opportunities in front of me are miracles in themselves. All I need to do is move toward them, allowing them to unfold while appreciating the journey and living with gratitude. Today, I will move toward hope. Toward love. Toward forgiveness. Toward action. And I will take in the gratitude of my life and remain humbled that I get to be here. Continue. 🙏