How Far Would You Be?

How Far Would You Be?

This is something my dad would always jokingly ask.

I would be walking away after a conversation, and he would call my name. I’d go back, and he’d smile and ask, “If I hadn’t called you back, how far would you be?”

Let’s think about that question.

If we started something today, how far would we be if we kept it up?

When there is a new year, we often set new goals. These goals are ones that we either stick with, or they’re ones we start, get tired of, decide are too hard, or get too busy to continue — and then we just stop.

But again… how far would you be if you kept it up?

When thinking about our relationship with God, this is a good question to ask. If we decided to do a Bible study every day, how far would we be in our relationship with God? If we decided to say a short prayer every day, how deep would our conversations with God go if we followed through?

I rededicated my life to Christ at 17, and I remember thinking about how I was going to do all these things better. I was going to learn how to study the Bible and pray more conversational prayers.

And I tried — but when it seemed time-consuming and hard, I didn’t keep it up. Why is it that we allow ourselves to stop when things are “hard” or “take too much time”? We do this with a lot of things in life, and because of this, we can miss out on so much.

In Joshua 1:8 it says, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

There are instructions in the Bible on how to read the Bible and how to follow through with it in life.

That’s interesting, isn’t it?

There are also many life lessons all throughout the Bible, but one that sticks out to me is Galatians 6:9, which says, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

So how far would we be if we kept going?

Imagine this — God sent Jesus to save us, and in the garden, Jesus had a choice. He was asking God to take the cup from Him. Jesus could have literally said, “This is too much. I’m out.” But He didn’t. He said, “Your will be done.”

Wow...

Jesus knew all that was coming, and He continued on because He knew where He would be — and where we would be — if He kept going.

Don’t stop because it’s hard and uncertain. Don’t stop because you don’t have time. Don’t stop — keep moving forward. Let the Lord lead you.

Keep 1 Corinthians 15:58 in mind as you start something. It says, “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

And when you are struggling to find strength or motivation, look to Isaiah 40:31, which says, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

God has a plan and He is the one that directs your steps, so as you are moving into something new, or if you are continuing something ask the Lord to help you through, guide you and give you the strength to keep going.

Remember Philippians 4:13 that says, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

So, just keep this question in mind if you start to question - how far would you be if you kept going?