Maintain Speed

I was driving through a region yesterday and the wind was in full force.

Had I been on a bicycle traveling with the flow of traffic and the wind behind me, I probably could have kept up with traffic. But alas, I was in a vehicle not designed for windy days and it was a head-on battle for a given stretch of road.

In a 60mph zone with the pedal to the floor and I was still a couple digits short of doing 60. Speedometer not budging. It took everything just to maintain the pace.

Of course, this insight once again came seconds after informing God I had nothing for this daily prayer post. Thanks God.

How often does this happen in real life? Things are going quite well and moving right along. Whatever "it" is, we're making good progress, on schedule, processes and systems are running smoothly and everyone is getting along. Life is good.

Yet, external forces beyond our control are waging war... determined to slow you down and knock you around a bit, if not altogether off course. At a minimum, you'll be frustrated that moving forward now takes more effort than it did just a few miles ago. More likely, you'll arrive more tired and late. Plus whatever else has transpired while you were en route.

Without fail, such battles always seem to last longer than you anticipate, as well. This brings to light other concerns. Fatigue. The wearing down of the will, mind, emotions, body and spirit.

The list of potential problems to which we are now vulnerable because of fatigue... well that could take a while. I know this because the day is catching up with me as I write this. Suffice to say, we've all witnessed first-hand the mistakes, problems and disasters that result from fatigue. Which is exactly what the father of lies, whose sole mission is to "seek, kill & destroy" would love to watch unfold in our lives.

Don't allow it. Trust God. Give Him control.
Pray for strength and grace to keep moving forward, even if it's all you can do to simply maintain speed.

And on that note....

Pray, this #deaconThursday for churches having difficulty "maintaining speed" as they carry out ministry and work to fulfill their calling in the communities they serve. Pray against the forces of darkness that are attempting to distract, detour and derail the plans and purposes that church pastors and leaders have set out to accomplish. Pray the stamina of the Holy Spirit to enter the hearts and minds of those suffering from fatigue. May their be a "second wind"... the power of God quickening them physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, to combat the storms designed to take them out.  Pray a fresh anointing and a refreshing move of the Spirit that they may be equipped and prepared to continue to press forward... even if with all their effort, they just maintain the course and maintain the pace.

Destined to Win. For the glory of God, we pray.

- PNC

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