Keep Showing Up
The vital part in succeeding in anything is making a conscious effort to show up. It’s easy to show up when everything is going as planned and there’s no question in sight about what’s happening. But, it’s a little harder to show up when things are not coming together in the way you’d hoped or pictured they would.
If I have learned one thing, it is to be faithful with today. Show up today. Everything I’ve ever obtained began with me being committed to showing up. There have been countless times where showing up was all I knew to do.
One time in particular, was when I was interning at an accounting firm in an entirely different state than I had been living in.
You can read more background on that story at “Trusting God When Your Plans Fail” blog https://predestinedroyalty.com/trusting-god-when-your-plans-fail/
I knew that position was not where I was supposed to be long term and my time there was coming to an end, but I didn’t see the provision to move elsewhere.
My thought was to quit the internship and quickly find a job in the state I had currently resided in. It was the most logical thing to do at that time and I was ready to move forward in my career life. But, the initial directions I received from the leading of the Holy Spirit was to finish out the internship and continue commuting between the two states.
Therefore, for a period of about three months, I faithfully commuted a little over three hours between two states every weekday. Let me tell you, it was beyond exhausting! All I knew to do was show up by hopping in the car and taking the drive.
There will come moments when we find ourselves in what seems to be hopeless situations. Situations that cause us to wonder when things are going to take effect in our own lives. Where we are putting forth the effort, but we aren’t seeing the fruit of our sacrifices.
“When will my purpose in life be revealed?”
“When will my marriage get better?”
“When will my business or ministry take off?”
“When will I get promoted?”
“When will my life look like what God has revealed to me it would look like?”
Things in your life may not currently look like what you think it should look like but if you are certain that you are planted in the place you ought to be, keep showing up! A delay in the success of a thing, does not warrant throwing in the towel.
The overall picture comes together piece by piece, so manage your moments well. What you do today, matters. The little steps you take toward your goals or dreams today, impact your final results.
You show up by first continuing to go to the throne of grace. Keep going before the Lord. Keep pursing Him. If you have questions about the situation you are in or need direction, keep asking and petitioning until He responds. God is faithful. Even when we are not faithful, He remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13).
We must learn to trust God with our today. He provides us with our daily bread, meaning what we need to get through that day, He provides. Be it strength, courage, insight, creativity, or direction etc.; He provides it for that day.
You show up by being diligent with the assignments, influence, possessions, and load you currently have.
To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). Be faithful with what you currently possess. God can’t give you more when you are not faithful with what you already have. He won’t bring you to greater heights when you are inconsistent in showing up to the level you are currently on.
Although I didn’t initially see the point of making that drive, it was revealed to me afterwards.
From my exhaustion, suppose I decided that the drive was just too much for me and I chose to quit the internship before I was released to do so? I wanted desperately to move on in my career life, but I had to stay planted in the area God currently had me in until something was set up for me to move on to.
In hindsight, I see how quitting the internship when I wanted to quit would have probably rendered me jobless for quite some time. This would not have worked for me because during that time, I needed an inflow of income to meet certain financial obligations.
Not only that, but that drive really showed me what I was made of. If God placed me in that position, I had to be dedicated enough to see things through.
It’s in the showing up that our strength is not only revealed but refined. The determination to show up matters. Some of our greatest lessons are a result of showing up. Showing up builds character and integrity. Romans 5:3-4 says,
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” – Romans 5: 3-4 (NKJV)
God is more concerned with us growing as Christians than us obtaining the things we desire. He is constantly using everyday situations to perfect us in love so that we are ready for His return. Through struggle, we develop perseverance, which in turn shapes our character. From all of this, our stamina to hope is birthed. Which is what we need when it comes to the future hope of His return. It’s a chain reaction, but in order to persevere, one must first be devoted to showing up.
I know it gets tough sometimes but continuing to show up is often the greatest thing you can do. Just keep in mind that in the end, you not only succeed in what you’ve longed to obtain, but you become a better person.
We don’t know what 2021 is going to bring but let’s vow to keep showing up. Even with us approaching the close of this year, don’t throw in the towel. Finish this year out strong by at least continuing to show up!
