Don't Mistake A Clear View For A Short Distance

Quotes:

“Then let us all do what is right, strive with all our might toward the unattainable, develop as fully as we can the gifts God has given us, and never stop learning” ― Ludwig van Beethoven

“No matter how much falls on us, we keep plowing ahead. That's the only way to keep the roads clear.” ― Greg Kincaid

“Endurance is patience concentrated.” -Thomas Carlyle

“Come what may, all bad fortune is to be conquered by endurance.” -Virgil

“Heroism is endurance for one moment more.” -George F. Kennan

“Endurance is the crowning quality” -James Russell Lowell

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/endurance.html#Q2res2TXmSvLxfz3.99

“A journey, I reflected, is of no merit unless it has tested you.” ― Tahir Shah, In Search of King Solomon's Mines

“Head up, heart open. To better days!” ― T.F. Hodge, From Within I Rise: Spiritual Triumph Over Death and Conscious Encounters with "The Divine Presence"

II Timothy 4:3, II Timothy 2:3, Matthew 24:13

These verses all have a common link in them: “Endurance”.

“Endurance” meaning to “endure”: (Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary) =

To bear; to sustain; to support without breaking or yielding to force or pressure.

In general there seems to be two ways to approach life.

One is likened unto the famous statute of Atlas holding up the Earth currently located in the British Library of London; every muscle strained and compressed under the unyielding weight.

The other: like the sculpture of the Risen Christ holding the World in one hand located at the Saint-Corentin Cathedral, in Brittany, France.

Jesus our Christ had a “clear view” of His mission:

Luke 2:41-49 “41- Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42- And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43- And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44- But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45- And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46- And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47- And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48- And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49- And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?”

Jesus was 12. 21 more years would pass before Calvary.

And a lot of pain and suffering and struggles as well.

Not a “short distance”.

He endured.

Peter started the journey of becoming a “fisher-of-men” with a “clear view” in AD 26.

Matthew 4:18-19 “18- And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into

the sea: for they were fishers. 19- And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Peter preached the Gospel until he was crucified upside down in AD 65.

Not a “short distance” of 39 years.

Paul got a “clear view” of his purpose:

Acts 9:1-6 “1- And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2- And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3- And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from

heaven: 4- And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5- And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6- And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”

Paul’s conversion took place in AD 37 and he was beheaded in AD 64.

Paul struggled, kept the faith and fought the “good fight” for 27 years.

Not a “short distance”.

But he endured.

“Kept” G5083/H5341 Natsar ‘not-sayer’:

Psalm 25:10 “All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep H5341 his covenant and his testimonies.”