I’m currently reading the book The Last Arrow by Erwin McManus. The idea of the arrows is rooted in the encounter with King Joash and Elisha in the book of 2 Kings. Elisha instructs the king to strike the arrows on the ground and the king stops after three. Elisha condemns him for stopping and not striking five or six times. The king didn’t keep going until he was told to stop; he just quit.
McManus asks the all important question of: How many times do we quit and move on when God intended for us to keep going? We think something we’re told to do is pointless or seems silly and we stop. How many times do we think something didn’t work out or we failed, when in reality, it was simply because we just quit?
Ouch!
Follow through can be a lonely place when we are in the mundane of life. We get bored, quite frankly, with the day-to-day activities and we lose focus. We look for times and things that seem more enticing, exciting, and invigorating. McManus mentioned that perhaps our greatest achievements are accomplished when nobody else sees our work; in the daily living of being a good friend, faithful spouse, and parent.
Think about your daily life. In what area(s) has God called you? What area(s) are you called to minister?
These questions help you ascertain your why in life; your driving force that gets you through the mundane.
I’m called to be a wife and a mother. I’m called to empower those around me to seek God with all of their hearts. I write for you because I need to hear my words, as well.
All too often, I stop striking the arrows of life because I don’t see change, I don’t see the difference it’s making, and it seems impractical. Instead of continually striking as God has asked me to do, I quit.
Will you join me today as I commit to striking arrows until I’m told to quit? My striking of arrows include writing a blog each week as we share together on this journey of life. What arrow do you need to keep striking today? Don’t quit too soon! God intends to bless you in the daily striking!
Until next time…
© 2018 Susan M. Sims
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I look forward to your weekly blogs, Susan. They never fail to bless and encourage me. I agree with this one. At my age, I reflect on my life. There were times when I felt God wasn’t listening to my prayers, but, I see now, He was working all the time. Glad I didn’t quit!!
Susan, I made a mistake. The comment was written by me.
No worries!