This morning while cleaning one of the college classrooms I noticed a textbook opened to a story about Sir Ernest Shackleton a heroic explorer of the Antarctic. What caught my attention wasn't his heroic feats as much as some interesting seemingly unimportant details.
On one of the expeditions he used a ship called the Polaris of great craftsmanship, however, he changed the name to Endurance which was based on the family motto: Through endurance we will Conquer. This to me was the most important element of the whole heroic event! Why? Because it shows what was in the man. Through endurance he was able to keep ALL of his crew alive in the Antarctic after a terrible shipwreck in the ice. Not many people can say that they have what it takes to endure through such hardship and turmoil!
The scripture tells us that Jesus said these words: "He that endures to the end, the same shall be saved!" Do you have what it takes? This can be a hard life, and believing in Jesus Christ and living by His principles can be difficult at the best of times. Not because it is difficult to follow Jesus and His ways, but because people in this world don't understand why we do what we do. It is a lack of understanding in the unknown and fear that causes people to treat those of us who try to live a righteous, God filled life in a not so pleasant manner.
It takes a great deal of intestinal fortitude and endurance to keep your tack, and not turn back. We must not let the negativity of this world beat our convictions down. Don't let the majority tell you that you are wrong, just because they don't understand your point of view. Endure the cross as Jesus did, and one day you will find that it leads to a glorious salvation! Keep the faith and don't look back!
Yours for Christ,
Pastor Fred
