My Grace is Sufficient - Delayed Testimony

Pilgrim sat in front of his computer monitor, an anxious look, a furrowed brow. A task (translation for a funeral) had been given and the deadline furiously approaching from the horizon. Limited time was against him. His limited knowledge was against him. But an unlimited Someone was 'for' him. (Romans 8:31b "If God is for us, who can be against us?")

To the soul, the heart and the mind,
The Dove spoke, "Do not be anxious, ask and ye shall receive."
The Son spoke, "My yoke is easy, and my burden light."
The Father spoke, "My grace is sufficient for thee. Place your eyes upon Me."

Creases on the forehead began to be smoothened. Breathing easier. A conscious effort needed still, but only to focus on Him and not the task. Amazingly, time seemed to move faster and slower at the same time, but they matter not.

In the end, the task was completed. However, for Pilgrim, the more important thing was the lesson learned.

Hold fast to dreams

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Langston Hughes

A Poem

What shall a man say,
When life's choices pull him in different ways.

On one hand, his heart tells him to stay,
The other, his flesh tells him nay.

"Count the cost, what you are giving up!
Did God really say that you should drink from this cup?"

"Count the cost and the reward," says the Lord with whom you sup.
"When I came and went to the cross I too knew what I was giving up."
Count the Cost by Pilgrim

Beyond 'What if'

At a gathering last saturday, the speaker was sharing about living a "Life of Intent". A familiar passage from 1 Cor 9:24-27 was read. Still, the message spoke to the hearts of many as they responded at the end. Basically, we need to live life with a direction(vision), determination(endure strict training) and with hope(recognizing the prize). Interestingly, alot of what was shared was what I, or rather, a character I am working on is going through.

What if the vision is not comprehended by others such that it becomes a lone fight?
What if, after giving his all, it is still not enough to satisfy?
What if, at the end of it all, the vision is but a wishful thinking? What then?

As in the past, the Dove thus spoke,"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;to search out a matter is the glory of kings." (Prov 25:2) Life does not, and should not stop at the 'what ifs'. Rather, they are opportunities or doors, where wisdom, courage, hope and faith is exercised.

Again, I shall quote one of my favourite quotes,

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly... who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never known victory nor defeat. "
Theodore Roosevelt

Stay close to me O Dove, and teach me the Word that I may live a Life of Intent.
Remind me O Dove, of the Son who lived with Intent, whose eyes were always on the Father.
Remind me O Dove, of the loving Father whose Intention is that which I seek.