We're in It for
the Long-Haul
November 5, 2001
An opinion poll released by USA Today last week
indicated that Americans still overwhelmingly support the
President in his handling of the War on Terrorism. But—and it’s
a big “but,” because that same poll indicated Americans are
becoming impatient with the progress of the war effort. Seems we
Americans are an impatient lot. Even though the President said
this would be a long-term battle—we want results and we want
them yesterday.
I don’t suppose this surprises anybody. It sure
doesn’t surprise me. The spiritual connection doesn’t stammer
for attention—it demands attention. As Mighty Men we’ve made a
commitment to allow God to revive us spiritually, one day at a
time. If you’re like me, you’ve probably discovered bad habits
don’t give up without a fight. And good habits don’t appear
overnight. The Apostle Paul said we must choose every day “to
put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful
desires” (Eph. 5:22) and “put on the new self, created to be
like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 5:24). Every
day I must put off the old and put on the new—just as I would
discard an old coat for a new one.
You’d think after a few days or weeks of repeating
this process the old habits would raise the white flag and
surrender. They won’t. They hide in the caves and bunkers back
in the recesses of the soul and wait for an opportune moment to
regain control of our will. It may be when you initially made
the four commitments of a Mighty Man you were energized.
Now—days, weeks or months later the battle rages on and you
wonder if victory is possible. Or maybe you’ve begun to retreat.
THE FACT IS GOD HAS ALREADY WON OUR VICTORY AT THE CROSS. But
that’s doesn’t mean we’re released from the responsibility of
claiming the victory by putting off the old and putting on the
new.
We must do this every day!
We must do this one day at a time!
And we must do this by remembering we’re in a
lifelong battle—as Mighty Men we must stand our ground and fight
through pain as we lock arms and trust God for the victory.
WEEKLY MEMORY VERSES: “You were taught, with
regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self,
which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made
new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
(Eph. 4:22-24 New International Bible).
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