Determination

Ever feel like throwing in the towel? Maybe sometimes it feels as though your work, your relationships, your spiritual life just aren't what you've expected them to be. "What's the use, anyway? What's the point?" you may say to yourself. I know I've been there before. More than just a couple times, too.

Reading today's devotion and scripture passage reminded me again just how determined Jesus was! If anyone had cause to think his words weren't getting through, that his friends and family didn't get it, that maybe he should just throw in the towel...Jesus had reason to do so. Who could have blamed him, the blameless one, if he just walked away from it, from us, and went back home to heaven saying, "Sorry Dad, this just isn't worth it."

But Jesus had determination to do his Father's will, even if his closest friends didn't understand, or tried to redirect him, even if it meant his suffering and death. But even more than determination, Jesus also had and STILL HAS -- LOVE. Deep, undying, stick-with-it-no-matter-what kind of love. His LOVE is what drove his determination, keeping him focused on his Father's will, and kept him up on the tree when he could have easily saved himself.

His LOVE for you, for me, for ALL MANKIND wouldn't allow him to walk away and watch us suffer the consequences of sin - even though that's exactly what we deserve. To be with us for all eternity, experiencing a perfect love with him is what his heart desired most. And he was determined to make sure he did everything in his power to see that happen. Thank you Jesus for your determination. Thank you for your love!