Roping Religion: Don't ever give up

Many of the ideas and scriptures for this article are from the devotional “God Wants You To Win!” by world champion calf roper Jeff Copenhaver.

As believers in Jesus we need to encourage ourselves when the going gets rough and not give up. We need to finish the race in order to win the race.

Over two decades ago I went back to school in order to become a school counselor. On at least three different occasions I thought about quitting college because the going got tough. Some of the assignments were extremely difficult for my classmates and me. We stuck together and eventually we graduated. It took encouragement from teachers, my wife and myself in order to finish what I started.

As a teenager I was one merit badge away from the rank of Eagle Scout in my Boy Scout Troop. I actually thought about quitting even though I was so close to the finish line. The Rotary Club and my Boy Scout Troop all worked together to help me with my Eagle Scout project. We tore down the old library building one Saturday and made our town a little bit better.

Sometimes it takes encouragement from others so we don’t quit or give up. I often tell my congregation, “You’re not dead yet. There is a reason that you’re still alive.”

We all have a destiny and purpose even if we don’t recognize it. The enemy wants to rob us. If the devil can get us to quit we won’t obtain the reward or the blessing that God has for us. If we make a bad decision we can forfeit our blessing or trade it for something temporary like Esau did when he gave up his blessing as the first-born son for a pot of stew. Sometimes our earthly appetites and desires can cause us problems that may last a long time. Esau despised his birthright.

We should value the gifts, positions and blessings that the Lord has bestowed on us. Just today I prayed, “Lord I want everything that You want me to have for as long as You want me to have it but I don’t want anything that You don’t want me to have even if I ask You for it.”

As we learn how to succeed and be blessed we can then teach these principles to others. As a grandpa I am extremely interested in my grandchildren and their friends in their age groups learning how to do the next right thing. I want them to be blessed and highly favored. I don’t want them to get discouraged and give up. I want to see them persevere and obtain the victory.

As parents and grandparents we mentor others. It is part of discipleship. I don’t want kids to miss out on God’s best for their lives. He has a plan for their finances, their careers, their families, and all of their futures. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love Him.

One day Jesus will return. We ought to be those who look forward to His return. If we keep being faithful and continue working for the Lord we will not be disappointed upon His return. It will go well for those of us who are doing the right things and believing for God’s best.

We should ask for guidance and direction from the Lord. He has fed and led us safely thus far. We should continue to ask for wisdom for ourselves and for our kids and grandkids. God is not stingy. He enjoys giving good gifts to His good kids. We have not because we ask not. Let’s continue to ask for strength to finish our course. Let’s ask for much grace to be upon our lives and our lips. Let’s meditate on the things that God would have us to think about and enjoy our journeys with the Holy Spirit and one another.

Remember that the best is yet to come. Let’s not quit before we obtain the rest and the blessings that God has for us.

May God bless you big.

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This is the 16th in a series of columns by Kevin Barsotti, pastor of Ark Church in Havre.