Keeping the Spark Alive
by Garold Andersen
“Continue running this race with endurance, always keeping
your eyes on Jesus, the source of our faith. Consider Him so
that you won't grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)
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Captain Robert Falcon Scott led the doomed party in a failed attempt to be the first to reach the South Pole. |
In the accounts of the explorers of the Antarctic, few things went according to plan. In 1911 Robert Scott attempted to become the first human to reach the South Pole. After a very difficult journey in temperatures below -30 degrees, Scott and his small team finally reached their destination only to be disappointed. As unbelievable as it may sound, there was a tent and a note waiting for them. Roald Amundsen, Scott's rival, had arrived at the pole one month earlier and taken the prize of glory.
Demoralized and fatigued, Scott’s party began the long way back to the base camp. They never arrived. Within eleven miles of their journey's goal they penned their farewells and quietly resigned themselves to death. They had grown too weary to continue.
Weariness is at times our greatest enemy. I can't begin to imagine the physical exhaustion faced by the explorers of the Antarctic, but I do know what it is to be emotionally fatigued by life's unexpected situations. When plans are shipwrecked and vision blurred by fatigue, it's a good idea to rest. However, as with Scott, there is often the temptation to completely resign.
Other explorers who survived the outrageous ordeals of the Antarctic did so by keeping two simple flames alive - hope and the will to live. They concentrated on keeping the image of home as vivid as possible then focused on what they could do each day to bring home one step closer. They were keeping the sparks alive.
We can't be sure what life will bring at any moment. There will certainly be seasons when we feel weak and tired. Those are the times to remember that this “race” of life is one of endurance, not speed. Stay in there. You may need to slow the pace, but never throw in the towel. Focus on that tiny flame of hope. The fire of passion for Christ can easily burn bright in the future if you keep the tiny embers burning today. Keep going. Keep glowing. Don't give up.
This Week
When spiritual fatigue threatens the core of your existence, here are a few survival tips. Meditate on God, His word, and His goodness. Consider Jesus, the source of your faith. Ask for help and encouragement from fellow “travelers.”
Prayer
“Dear God, breathe on me. Rekindle the smallest spark of hope in me and renew my will to live for You.”
Garold Andersen has performed as an actor in theaters and churches worldwide for over 25 years. His ministry, Watershed Arts, mentors actors, teaches a biblical perspective of the arts and utilizes humor, tragedy, love and hope to communicate the Gospel.
