Endure: 5-Minute Friday

Endure:

The very word evokes

Teeth gritted in determination,

Toughing it out.

I don't even need to unclench my jaw

To spit out the word.

Hupomeno, though:

The Bible word begins with an exhale,

Tells a different story--

To remain under,

To stay and not flee,

To hold fast and not retreat,

To dwell under the yoke with Christ

And not to look for shortcuts,

Escape routes.

Will I pitch my tent

In the barren waste of wilderness

Because the pillar of Shekinah glory fire

Hovers overhead

And warms the night?

Will I step into the raging furnace

And let the Fourth Man

Loose my bonds

And companion me there?

Will I abide in the fiery trials

Without numbing,

With surrender

And submission,

For the sake of knowing better

The fellowship of His sufferings?

Will I pray,

"Thy will be done,"

Though it cost me bloody sweat

And a cross of pain,

Rejection,

Derision?

Will I trust Him enough

To wait

And stay

And listen

And watch for His appearing?

Lord Jesus,

Make a way out of the desert,

Flames,

Gethsemane,

Quickly, if You will;

And grant me the courage to endure

With patience

And hope

Until You show Yourself strong

For those whose hearts are completely Yours.