Crossing the Finish Line with Success by Lisa Burkhardt Worley
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)
I’ve only run one competitive cross-country race, but I remember how fulfilling it was to cross the finish line. However, I have discovered that life is full of metaphorical races and the finish line is once again within reach. In twelve days, I will defend my doctoral paper at my school, The King’s University (TKU). I have heard that defending one’s project is difficult, but I am trusting that the one who called me to advanced study will prepare me for this final step in the process.
A God-given race can be an endurance race. For the past four years, I have worked through 18 hours of bridgework prior to entering the doctoral program, and another 36 hours in the TKU Messianic Jewish Studies doctoral program. It has been a difficult, yet enlightening journey. If given the chance to do it again, I would still choose to spend the four years at King’s. I have learned so much about my Jewish roots through the classwork.
We can be afraid to start the race. When I first thought that I was supposed to return to school, I hoped someone would talk me out of it, but that did not happen. I was apprehensive about the time it would take because I had remembered how difficult and time consuming seminary was. And it did take a lot of study hours. But when the LORD calls us to something greater than we believe we can handle, He is stretching us. He is also preparing us for something that He has planned for us in the future. We don’t always see it at the beginning of the journey, but as we move forward in faith, He will begin to reveal the plan. We just have to trust when we feel God’s pull in a certain direction.
Running a race that God designs will bear fruit. Little did I know that because of my schooling I would be producing award-winning documentaries and curriculum to fight antisemitism. Prior to my entering the doctoral program, it was not even a consideration, or a part of the thought process, but God had a plan, and school was the vehicle for a new calling.
God always provides for the race. What race have you been called to? Is it out of your comfort zone? Once you determine that you are hearing God’s voice, then move forward without fear. He will take care of everything you need along the way—emotionally, spiritually, and materially. With Him in the lead, it is guaranteed that you will cross the finish line successfully.
#
Our new devotional book, Treasure, makes a great gift! Lane Jordan burday and Lisa Burkhardt Worley, along with the POP Team, combined their talents to write the book, which is full of wonderful inspiration. We hope you will consider purchasing a copy of our new book, a 52-week devotional. The devotional was written with love! You will be inspired by the messages, and receive daily treasure as God will speak to you through His Holy Spirit. To buy Treasure just click on the Amazon link that takes you directly to the page. https://tinyurl.com/2uj9sn5x.