Moving Forward

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 (KJV)

They were small and barely noticeable, these two co-conspirators, as they stood at the counter huddled together. Their heads bent at a slight tilt toward each other as if they were drawing confidence from each another.

“Double cheeseburg-er!” called out the woman holding up a small yellow waxed paper wrapped sandwich from behind the counter. A hand shot up from the right side of the huddled mass and a small voice proclaimed, “here.”

In the madness of the lunch rush, the manager paused for a moment to let her gaze settle on the two boys standing before her. Passing off the sandwich to the clerk to be bagged, she followed with the order, “Give them two a couple of cookies for having to wait.” They hadn’t really waited; I knew that. They knew that, too. I looked carefully at her. She hadn’t rewarded them for waiting; it was for something more, something completely different.

Three things about them were obvious. One, they were going to share that burger. Two, they had no money for a drink or fries. And three, they were very nervous in that crowd of hunger-crazed adults. Still, they had been courageous in spite of their discomfort pushing through it to get something they wanted. Was that what she had seen? A couple of timid shaking kids who braved the mad lunch rush to share a burger? Perhaps she wanted to bolster their spirit? Or maybe she saw something of herself or someone close to her in them? I’m not sure, but whatever it was it hadn’t been enough to keep her interest as they turned to walk away. She didn’t get to see them beaming with the joy that replaced their anxiety, nor did she get to see the confident stride patterned in their steps as they strutted out the door. But, I did. And, indeed, their bravery had been rewarded.

It is a simple and yet so complicated thing that one of our biggest challenges will be to push past is our own apprehensions. At one time or another, any one of us may find ourselves in a similar circumstance. That place where our path to something promised or desired is blocked by fear or doubt making the battlefield within our mind.

There are times I find myself questioning the things that God has set before me. I sense the criticism rise up inside of me and often I agree with it. And yes, sometimes it is true. However, because I can’t see the way God does I should not be quick to doubt Him or the things He has promised. It simply means I should push past doubt or fear and move toward those things He has spoken.

The New Year has been ushered in and it has just begun gathering momentum. It will, without doubt, have its share of trials and challenges. And, just as those two boys had their discouragements to face I will also have days of feeling lost, days when I don’t have enough for the things ahead, and days when I feel incredibly small and totally insignificant. But, the thing I hope to carry into this New Year is to remember to find courage in the midst of my trial, because behind the scene the boss is working and if I can push through and make it to that place of standing before Him, my reward will be in His hand.

—Mindy Whipple