Today, I’m super excited to share my lovely friend and blogging buddy, Lori Schumaker with you. Lori is my in real life friend (for real!) and is the author of the blog, Searching for Moments where she also hosts the Moments of Hope weekly linkup.
I’m honoured to have Lori as my first guest for our #SummerSizzleBlogHop, where I join eight other Christian bloggers to bring you our hottest posts all summer long.
We’ve pulled our best Christian faith content from our treasure chests to encourage you this summer. Every week during June and July, I’ll feature another Christian blogger, so I hope you’ll stop by to welcome them or get updated by email. (There’s even a gift in it for you. Wink, wink.)
I’m happy that Lori kicks off the series with encouragement for when we feel like giving up. Because we’ve all been there at some point or another, right?
Feel like giving up? Do this instead!
When I traveled to Belize, I had the opportunity to visit the Xunantunich ruins. They were breathtaking. So intricate and immense!
I witnessed a crew of men assigned the task of uncovering, restoring, and rebuilding the large walls maintaining the tombs of a once upon time Mayan King.
The ruins were first discovered in the late 1800s and restoration began in 1924. I think of the first man assigned to the task of unearthing these impressive ruins. Do you think, to him, it ever appeared too enormous to accomplish? Or that he thought of declining the job offer?
Are you tempted to give up?
Do you think there was ever a point he threw up his hands ready to quit?
I wonder if he knew that almost one hundred years later, people would still be diligently uncovering his project?
And how about those who came after him? How many stayed? How many quit?
How about you?
Does this vision strike a chord with you? Is there possibly a project or goal in your life that seems just too much? Does your progress seem too slow?
Maybe you feel like giving up right now.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV
I’ve been there, too.
Sometimes it’s in the pursuit of healing for our daughter. It has been a long time with a lot of effort and heart, and, sadly we don’t always see the progress.
And sometimes it’s even in this dream God gave me to write. It’s a big dream and when I see the many that have already accomplished these dreams on a big scale, I wonder where I am in that? In this season of life, I only have a limited number of hours to give in a day. I can’t always see the progress or the lives that God may be encouraging through these words.
How about a new perspective?
I think often, our angle only gives us one perspective. And that perspective leaves us too close to our dream to see the progress.
I believe that just as these men tirelessly pursued the uncovering of truth, we must tierlessly pursue:
the PASSION God has placed in our hearts
the CALL God has placed on our lives
and
the DREAMS God has placed on our hearts.
As the men looked at the fruit of their efforts only through the lens of what lie right in front of them, it must have been even beyond overwhelming!
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Well done
When we look at what was first uncovered a hundred years ago and compare it to what we see today, we can resoundingly applaud these men and women with a “Job well done, my friends.”
And that is what I hope to hear someday when I come face to face with Jesus.
I hope He says, “I know you felt defeated. I know you felt as though the progress was slow and the affirmations not always there. But I saw every step and felt your heart and determination. I know you never gave up trying to follow what I set before you. And so I say, job well done, my faithful servant.”
Don’t give up!
Friends, wherever you are today, don’t give up!
Just put one foot in front of the other. Moment to moment.
Every once in a while, though, step away. Get a different view.
A view from above.
A view from a distance to see your progress.
And someday I promise you will hear those words.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Dear Father, You have designed and filled our hearts with unique dreams. Sometimes our call includes that which overwhelms us. But Lord, we know You are in each step with us. You give us just enough light for the step we are on and ask us to pursue each moment as though we were doing it for You.
Lord, I ask you to fill us with the vision to see the big picture. To see what we are creating from a distance – to see it with Your eyes. And Lord, for those who feel like quitting, I ask You to bless them with an affirmation. Fill their spirits with a sense of refreshment and renewal – knowing that as they put each foot in front of the other they are making progress. The right progress. And someday, Father, as they come face to face with You, they will hear, “Job well done, my faithful servant. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Meet Lori Schumaker
Lori is an encourager at heart. She has spent her life learning of the hope and victory available when we embrace our identity in Christ. Today, when she isn’t busy being a wife and Mom to her three children, she teaches, ministers, coaches, speaks, and writes to share that hope with others. Wherever you find yourself today – walking through the difficult, needing to get unstuck to follow your purpose, or simply experiencing a season of beautiful chaos, Lori’s blog found at www.lorischumaker.com is a place where you can get a virtual hug from someone who truly understands. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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How about some extra summer sparkle?
I’m teaming up with my blogging besties to bring you the best of the best, all summer long. During June and July, we’re sharing our top posts in the #SummerSizzleBlogHop series featured on all our blogs. It’s going to be hot, hot, hot, so be sure sign up for blog updates so you don’t miss any of it. As a gift, I’ll send you a Personal Retreat Guide to plan your summer getaway — just you and God.
Yes and yes I’ve felt like giving up on my words and listening to lies of Satan. No, I’m not a great writer, but I’m writing as unto the Lord and praying lives will be touched with my words and thoughts.
Great post to help us ponder.
Hi Debbie,
It’s so good to see you here! Your words and thoughts most certainly do lift up , encourage, and point to Jesus!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Yayyyy Lori! How fun to see your name when I am visiting Marva! Two great women walking out their passion, call and dream. Thank you both for your faithfulness. Sharing your lives and lessons learned gives encouragement to the rest of us👍😉 This post reminds me of the reason why we do what we do- it primarily has to be a personal exchange with Christ or else the motivation will wear off. If it can remain a by-product instead of the primary goal, then we can finish this good work without giving up. God gave me a different mindset this year which was “work less and abide more” . I have felt more rest and peace, along with enjoyment in this calling, than ever before. I am so goal oriented that it is too easy for me to allow what I do for Christ to subtly become the primary objective. When I recognize that and keep it more about abiding, boy has that helped me endure. Thanks for a great post ladies!
You’re such an encouragement, Gretchen! And what wise words you’ve shared here, friend. Work less and abide more — think I need to apply that to my life too!
Oh, Gretchen! You always me smiling with a heart full of encouragement! It’s so fun over here at Marva’s! I’m so glad you joined us here❤️
I love your encouraging words in this post. It can be so easy to feel overwhelmed and not recognize the progress.
I agree, Heather. And like Lori said, sometimes I’m just too close to get a true picture. When we start to feel like our work is in vain, we know it’s time to take a step back so that we can catch a glimpse of what God sees.
Hi Heather,
Thank you for visiting today. The overwhelm seeps in so quickly, doesn’t it? I’m so glad you were encouraged!!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Thank you ,Lori for two things: for taking me to Belize virtually because the pictures are amazing, and secondly for the great lessons from the Xunantunich ruins. I want to Run the race steadfastly without quitting and knowing that my work for the Lord will not be in vain with regards to our marriage, children, or blogging.
Thank you sweet Marva for hosting Lori on your blog.
Blessings to both of you!
Diana
Those ruins are amazing, aren’t they, Diana? And what a great analogy about the race we’re now running. So often I feel like giving up but it’s words like Lori’s (and the WORD) that give me hope and inspiration to keep going!
So glad you’re a runner in the race too, Diana. Blessings to you, friend!
Hi Diana,
Yay! It’s a beautiful place and definitely a bucket list item for my husband and I! It was so inspiring in so many ways. The ruins absolutely amazed me!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Marva,
Thank you so much for hosting me here at Sun Sparkle Shine! Love you much, my friend!
♥
Lori
Oh, my friend, the feeling is mutual. You were my first blogging friend to meet in real life and I have to say, you set the bar really high! 🙂 I’m super excited that you were the first to kick off the SummerSizzle series for us!
Yes and Yes. I’ve felt like giving up more than once. Great post, my friend Lori. (yesterday actually) I love it that God sees our hearts – that that is what is more valuable than what it looks like we are actually accomplishing! (the fast I go, the behinder I get…) Blessings this day – may you see them and feel His love of approval! sue
I think I have more days like those than I’m willing to admit, Sue. Or worse, my actions show that I’m ready to give up but my heart refuses to admit it.
I’m so grateful that God has kept us thus far! And that He doesn’t measure ‘progress’ the way we do. 🙂
Thanks, Sue! We get so far ahead of ourselves and feel the defeat by what we think will never happen. But if moment by moment we step in tune with Him, all will be accomplished as He sees fit! Love visiting with you here today! ♥
It’s great to see you at Marva’s place today, Lori. How encouraging! Yes to putting one foot in front of the other! Until one day we hear those words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Thanks for stopping by, Betsy. It’s been my pleasure hosting Lori and sharing in the encouragement she’s dishing out. 🙂
One day at a time, that’s how we’ll get there together.
Blessings to you, my friend.
Amen, Betsy! It will be a beautiful day when we hear those words ♥ It’s so good to visit with you here at Marva’s!
Such an encouraging post Lori. Thank you. There are those seasons when our efforts seem futile despite our prayers and petition. I’m so grateful for God’s promises and His patience with us.
Thank you for your ministry, you are such a blessing❤
I know exactly the season you’re talking about, Lureta but thank God for His mercy and grace. When we’re tempted to give up, He never gives up on us.
So glad you stopped by today to share that!
I’m with you on that Lureta! His promises and patience are such a gift! And thank you for your kind words, my friend ♥