paulie, rocky, and fighting the fight...

We are created for purpose. Intrinsically we all have desires of accomplishing something far beyond our natural capacity. It boils down to a simple fact: We all want to do something significant.

In order to do something seemingly impossible, we need to possess a passion which will push us each day.

My passion comes in the form of Paulie from Rocky who sits on my shoulder like Jiminy Cricket. Com' on! You got this. Hang in 'ther! And I, like Rocky, sometimes feel like, Yo' Paulie, I want to do 'dis, but I'm gettin' hit on both sides by the Russian.

But we have a fight to fight and we can't be quitters! We must accomplish what God has called us to do. In loneliness of singlehood, in trials of marriage, in despair of sickness, in hopeless poverty, we stand and fight. Why? Because we aren't quitters. God has put passionate desires in our hearts for a reason. If your passions are in alignment with God's will for you life, is there anything too big for Him to handle?

Come hell or high water, loss of home or loved one, failure in job or ill-gained success, we can't stop from guilt or regret, fear or failure. When your face is on the ring floor, you're beaten up and bruised, and you feel like you want to quit, remember that Paulie is in your corner shouting, Com' on! You got this. Hang in 'ther!

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT (1 Timothy 6:12) What's your fight? What are your dreams? Who is your Paulie?

trails and life...

The sweat. The fall. The doubt. The belief. The sunrise. The trail. The pain. The end.

The sun was calling over the mountains like a siren to sailor's death. The mountain called. I responded. Step by step, minute by minute, mile by mile, I endured the hill. Half way up the trail, I lost my footing and slipped down onto jagged rocks, cutting my hand and shin. I debated quitting. I mean, I had already completed a good amount of trail. What would it matter if I continued? Who would know? Who would care?

But I couldn't quit.

I was surrounded by trees; their limbs were like semaphores swaying encouragement. I had to get to the top. I limped my way to the crest of the peak and my breath was taken away. I saw the entire trail, the sunrise, the doubtful cliffs, the believing trees, and I rested in the beauty.

I had a moment with the Creator and saw Life. Sometimes I've asked myself, What would it matter if I continued my walk of faith in a Divine Creator? Would would know if I quit? Who would care? But as I stood at the peak of the hill I endured and saw the difficult path I emerged from, I realized the end is worth the fall, the doubt, the pain. Press on, fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12), for He shows loving kindness to those who walk before Him with all their heart (2 Chronicles 6:14).

Have you asked if it would matter if you quit? It does. Don't give up. The view is beautiful from the top.