“What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of
Job’s staying power,
and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because
God cares, cares right down to the last detail. ” James 5:11, (MSG) 

It’s January 2013.   The begining of many “firsts”……..

You know what I mean.  We plan our resolutions to improve ourselves or our outlook.  I will just speak for me right here;  I have started back up on my fitness regimen.  My work requires me to be within standards and now it is especially important because promotion boards are convening soon.  I don’t want to be behind on anything, so why not start a lifestyle change at the begining of the year?  Which brings me to my blog post.

I could have made this post earlier this month.  It would have been customary to push this out the first of the year.  I believe this is the time where many including myself can wane and drift off our original plan for this year.  This time is crucial after all (for me). It takes only thirty days to create a habit.  Did you know that in an aircraft if you are one degree off course in your flight plan you could be miles if not hundreds of miles from your original destination?

I don’t want that to happen to me or you either.  God has equipped us and gifted us with abilities that can be used greatly to cause a change in our environment!  He has CALLED us before the foundation of the world was created to have DOMINION over this planet and to become effective managers of the rescources  entrusted into our charge.  Don’t you believe for a nanosecond that God set you up to fail. GOD HAS SET YOU UP TO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It does however come with a price.  It includes our focus and total dependance on Jesus coupled with our obedience to him.  I have now been convinced more than ever that if I want to make an impact, I must be obedient to God.

This is staying power, the secret to staying the course on the treacherous road  I call life.  When I don’t allow Jesus to become the capstone or foundation for my plans, they will fail.  It may look successful, however only at the expense of  carnal mistakes- those moments when we act out of sorts.

In context, this passage was refering to looking at the prophets of old and add them to mentors in your life, learn from their example. Do you have someone to gauge your performance?  Perhaps you may have a mentor that may  encourage you or correct you?  In either case count it joy that you are now staying the course.  We are continuing the great journey like they did working through ridicule or slander without complaining and honoring God all the time.  I learned the hard way that  I must lean on God because I am not built like the world and cannot operate in its parameters. Would you agree? As I close this message I will get up and head to the gym before work, start eating smart and look to God to refuel me every step of the way. God cares even to the last detail.