I remember having been inspired by so many people over the years.  What did they do?  They lived life by embracing the cards they had been dealt and played them the best that they could.

The lesson?  When you face those rough situations and need to find the strength to face them think of those who have shown courage and inspired you in the past.

Draw strength from their courage and then channel that courage into action because as you stare down your challenge and then lean into it you will be inspiring someone who is watching you as you pass along strength and courage to them.

If you have received inspiration through someone’s spirit and strength, then don’t waste it.  Use it to find strength for yourself and it will be passed along.

I’m cheering for you.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. Reflect on a challenging situation you currently face and consider the individuals who have inspired you in the past.  How can you draw strength from their courage to navigate your present difficulties?

2. In moments of adversity, how can you actively channel the inspiration derived from others’ courage into actionable steps, not only benefiting yourself but also passing along strength to those who may be watching and in need of encouragement?

“The Sacred Art of Waiting: Faith, Patience, and Transformation“

‭‭Isaiah 40:31 ESV‬‬
[31] but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

We have used this passage of scripture before, but it is so rich with application that I think it has good application here too as we begin our study in the pursuit of strength. 

Are you good at waiting?  For the most part, we are not patient people. 

Isaiah 40:31 invites you into an amazing dance of faith and patience.  Waiting on the Lord is not just about biding time; it’s an active surrender to the belief that your strength is intricately tied to His divine timing.

In the midst of waiting, your character is refined, and your spirits are prepared for a transformative journey.  As you navigate life’s uncertainties, this verse becomes a beacon of hope, assuring you that the waiting period is not in vain.

While waiting can be difficult, it can also be a sacred space where you cultivate resilience and endurance, ultimately finding yourself equipped to soar to new heights, run with purpose, and walk with unyielding strength.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How can embracing the concept of “active surrender” to divine timing transform your perspective on the challenges and uncertainties you face in life?

2.  In what ways can the period of waiting serve as a sacred space for personal growth, resilience, and preparation for future endeavors?

We have explored and sought the value in pursuing change, growth, moments, dreams, and success.

Our next chapter in “The Pursuit” is the pursuit of strength. 

Strength is more than physical power; it’s the resilience to face challenges, endure setbacks, and handle success.

Strength shows up when we push forward despite wanting to give up, learn from mistakes, and persist through obstacles.  Each setback isn’t a defeat but a lesson, a step toward greater resilience and wisdom.

Challenges build our inner strength, revealing our true capabilities and preparing us for future battles. 

Success also demands strength, requiring humility, gratitude, and the courage to inspire others while staying grounded.  True strength lies in upholding our values amidst highs and lows.

Strength guides us to dream bigger, strive harder, and rise higher.  Let’s celebrate and cultivate the strength within, knowing it’s our most powerful ally in this incredible journey.

Join me in this next chapter as we pursue strength in our daily lives, and also how we can live more freely and fully by tapping into the strength available to each of us through the Holy Spirit. 

Be Blessed!
Be Strong!

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How do you find the strength to push forward in moments when you feel like giving up, and what lessons have setbacks taught you about resilience and growth?

2.  In what ways can you use your successes to inspire and uplift others while remaining true to your values and grounded in humility?

One victory, one successful ending does not end the journey.

During the 1993-94 basketball season the team I was coaching was very good.  I was entering my fifth season at the school and we had built a solid program.  The two years prior our season had ended one game away from the state tournament and we returned many key players.

To get to the point we made it to the state tournament that year and I remember almost passing out from exhaustion after the season ended. I did an exhale that released three years of tension and hard work.

The problem was I didn’t go back to work with the same passion and purpose.  I had been driven by an external driver (motivator) and not as much internal as I should have.  It ended up being one of the biggest lessons of my coaching career.

The journey to success does not end when you accomplish a big goal.  You must dream again and dream bigger.  Yes, you can enjoy the accomplishment for a little while but once it is accomplished it is time to reset, recalibrate and set a new course. If I could go back and tell the Todd Gordon of 1994 one thing that would be it.

Great Job, now what’s next.  You got the one victory you had been missing and working for but let’s get back to work. Your journey does not end here. 

Success is a journey, not a destination.

I’m cheering for you.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How can one maintain passion and motivation after achieving a significant goal, and what strategies can be used to ensure continuous growth and improvement?

2.  Reflecting on past accomplishments, how can one balance the satisfaction of success with the need to set new goals and challenges?

The Path to Perseverance: Embracing Growth and Continuous Success in Faith

Achieving success is a blessing, but as followers of Christ, we are called to continually pursue excellence and growth.

Today, as we close this chapter of The Pursuit here is a summary of the verses we used to think about our pursuit of success. 

James 1:2-4 teaches us to “consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”  This perseverance helps us mature and complete our faith journey.

Proverbs 24:16 reminds us that “though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.”  Success isn’t about never falling; it’s about rising every time we do and continuing to push forward.

Galatians 6:9 encourages us not to “become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Persistence is key to achieving lasting success.

Colossians 3:23-24 urges us to “work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”  Our dedication and effort should reflect our commitment to God, who rewards our diligence.

Isaiah 40:31 assures us that “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength… they will run and not grow weary.”  Trust in God provides us with the strength to keep striving for the better.

Proverbs 10:4 states, “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”  Hard work and diligence are essential for continued success and improvement.

Let’s celebrate our victories, but never settle.  Let us keep striving to be better, knowing that our efforts are for God’s glory and that He will strengthen and reward us.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How can the concept of embracing growth and continuous success apply to different aspects of life beyond just faith?

2.  Reflecting on personal experiences, what are some strategies you’ve found effective in persevering through challenges and pursuing continuous improvement?