March Forth

A couple years ago freshman in college me found an interesting pun in today's date. March 4th becomes March Forth (as in the command).

Imagine with me, if you will, you're decked out in military garb, a weapon in your hand. The rain is coming down hard. Your whole body is soaked from the rain and from sweat. The mud is sticking to your boots and slowing you down. You can't see between the rain and the darkness. Clouds cover the stars. Your fellow soldiers are on your left and your right, but you can only barely make them out in the dark. The sounds of war surround you. You're tired. No, you're exhausted. Your muscles all ache in their numbness. You want nothing more than to lie down and give up. The pools of water in the mud are beginning to look rather inviting. You hear people stumbling around you. Your grip falters. Suddenly you hear "March Forth; Keep Moving." And it's enough for one more reluctant push of energy as you continue to move.

Do you ever feel like that? That exhausted? That tired? That ready to give up? Because we all have - especially if you're living your life like you should be (see When S*** Hits the Fan). Sometimes the hardest thing to do when you feel like that is to keep going. That's why days like this are great, because even the day is telling you to march on. Whether it be your new years resolution, your recent commitment for Lent, a lifelong personal battle, a fight against injustice, or anything else, we must remember to keep going. Giving up gets us nowhere; it is only through perseverance that we get anywhere - that we prove anything.

Hmm... perseverance. What a fun word. Here's one of my favorite bible verses when it comes to perseverance:

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that sufferings produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5

Whether in faith or in any fight worth the fight, there will be rough times. Whether it's because of persecution, self-doubt, life factors, growing stagnant, or a combination of all of these, rough times will come. But it's not getting knocked down that matters, it's getting back up. That perseverance builds character. And character builds hope. And as Jyn Erso once said "Rebellions are built on hope." So whatever it is you're rebelling against - whatever way you're going against the flow - do so with integrity and persistence. That's my encouragement to you today. Rejoice in your sufferings. Get back up. Keep going. March forth.

As always, God Bless and good luck!
~XTopher