Nougat 31

This End Time business is a lot to deal with. There is however, much cause for hope. Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“Understand that the last days will be dangerous times.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭CEB‬‬

“Because disobedience will expand, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Endurance to the End

In the original text, endurance refers to waiting, perseverance, staying faithful to the end, and standing one’s ground. And if The End Times look anything like Jesus predicted, all those will apply. For, this journey IS NOT about speed – it’s not a 400 or 200 – it is a distance event, we have to persevere, remain focused and faithful while we wait.

I recall hearing or reading somewhere that there is a difference between a distance runner and a sprinter. So, with the aid of Google and a site called differencebetween.com I further discovered that sprinters tend to be muscular and do not rely on maximal oxygen as they are done running in the shortest time. Their muscles are built for quick movements, using ‘fast-twitch‘ muscle fibres. Even their training is geared for such, as their body is trained for speed and power.

Conversely, the site indicates that the marathon runner has to prepare their muscles to keep moving at a particular threshold for an hour. This requires aerobic energy (or lactate threshold) that allows the body to sustain high lactate levels in their system. They rely on – you guessed it – ‘slow-twitch’ muscle fibres that can keep them goin for about 42km worth of energy and are highly resistant to fatigue or burn out. The goal of a marathon runner is muscular endurance, stamina and cardio respiratory fitness.

Despite my limited experience, I have noted that distance or marathon runners may opt to train on all terrain, whereas it seems that sprinters tend towards flat, somewhat level ground. But I may be mistaken. As we reflect on what is required for ‘surviving’ the End Time testing however, I would argue that both ‘sprint’ and marathon believers will face mixed terrain. The distinction will lie in the training we choose to undergo in order that we might overcome.

In our own spiritual lives therefore we will need to develop our ‘slow-twitch’ muscles. I dare say that that would be our own responses to situations that come before us. A sister-friend of mine talks about ’knee-jerk‘ reactions. How do you we respond in the heat of the moment or under fire? Philippians 4 reminds us, ’don’t worry, keep praying!’

Additionally, we have to prepare our spirits to sustain our faith momentum when the going gets tough. We therefore maintain a good communicative relationship with Jesus and allow our self nature to yield to God’s Spirit. For endurance in the natural may most likely result in failure. Yielding to God’s Spirit in the ‘little things’ may prove beneficial to building our Trust muscles to the point where, like Job we say, ’ … though God slays me yet will I trust God …’ or, pray as Jesus did, ’if it’s Your will Lord, please remove this cup of suffering! However, I yield to You in this and every situation.’

That is long-term training. In fact, it’s lifetime and lifestyle training. And it’s not only for The End Time, but also has value right now.

So what are we waiting for? Let’s keep training so we endure to the end!

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May all we seek be found in Christ