So close yet so far

Lately there is more and more speculation around the future of Marc Murphy. A talented attacking midfielder, he was selected as the number one draft pick in the 2005 AFL draft. He has gone on to play 102 games and is currently sitting on 82 goals. He has been top three in the Best and Fairest for the past 3 years and has the potential to become one of the elite midfielders of the competition. But his current contract will expire at the end of the 2011 season and thats where the concern lays...if he doesnt sign a new contract in the near future...he will potentially be stolen by the new Sydney team which is to join the competition in 2012.

While the financial side of the deal would be very appealing to a 23 year old, there is the other factors that he will need to weigh up. Things like the friends he has made in Melbourne and the team he is part of, the team that has the potential to be very successful over the next few seasons. After being part of the side that finished bottom of the ladder, being part of the side that has risen to the top 8 and played finals in the last two years...why would you jump ship now? After going through the hard times, why would you give up now?

This is very similar to life in general though. We will face trials in life, we will begin to work through those trials...but before we reach the finish line, we give up and fail to reap the rewards of our hard work. The reasons we give up may vary, but basically it comes down to the fact that the situation we face is just too hard...too difficult to work through.

But why is it too hard? We know God is constantly with us as it says in Joshua 1:9 -

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

So despite being told not to be afraid or discouraged, why do we come to a place where we feel our only option is to give up?

I believe is because we try to do it on our own, by our own strength, using our own understanding. But we have a loving Father that wants to be part of our life. He wants to see us grow, to see us develop into Godly men and women.

But we cannot grow without facing some tests, tests of our faith in God. It speaks of this in Isaiah 48:10 -

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

God tells us that He wishes to refine us, which is achieved by testing us through trials and affliction. Without these experiences, we will struggle to grow in Christ. Just like when I goto the gym, unless I push myself past the pain...I wont see the results.

None of this means that it is going to be easy as you go through the tests of your faith...but the encouraging fact is we have a loving Father who doesnt leave our side and wants to see us move into bigger and greater things....but we cannot reach these heights unless we grow in spiritual maturity and faith. So when the going gets tough...dont turn away or look for the easy route. Instead press on and trust God's plan and purpose for your life.

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. 

My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

(Job 23:10-12)