If you’re not up on your Greek, which I’m not, you may not have ever even heard the word, but I guarntee ya’ that at one time or another you’ve struggled with it.
Maybe even today.
In Sunday’s sermon we were introduced to this critical word on the path to spritual endurance. We were challenged as individuals and a Body to run the race with perserverance, but how often we forget that in order to run this race, we’ll need supernatural doses of hupomone. It sounds to me like an X games sport and honestly sometimes it feels like one.
EXTREME HUPOMONE.
Skip Moen elaborates on hupomone in this excerpt from a 2008 post. It’s brilliant and convicting.
Maybe that’s the real reason why I feel so tired. Maybe the true meaning of endurance has escaped me. In English, “endurance” translates hupomone (patience). What it implies is a hope that does not give up. This is not the word used for endurance toward people. This is about the engineered life; a hope that rests confidently in the character of God and His control. This is waiting on God to prepare the table in the valley of the shadow.
When we allow the fast forward world to dictate our spiritual flow, we will end up addicted to the crushing rush. We will run out of gas because we have been traveling roads that God did not put on our maps. Think of the much bigger picture. Does all the expended energy necessary to just keep up really matter? Are you and I servants who are running from place to place and from task to task simply because we wear the uniform? Or are we so attuned to the Master’s voice that we are able to wait and rest until we hear Him call? I know how easily I add tasks to my working agendas. I also know how tired I am of trying to do them all. Maybe I need to just wait on God’s table and stop trying to run the restaurant.
Yeah, I’ve been known to try to run the restaurant rather than just wait on God’s table. You??
Welcome to WFW!
There are very few rules, in fact the beauty of this ministry is the creative expression that God reveals Himself thorough. We marvel at the creativity that participants post with this meme. We encourage the ” post behind the picture,” or the reflections that many of the participants share. We ask that non-biblical resources not be used.
WFW is not about books, authors, artists.. it’s about God and HIS WORD ONLY. WFW is about celebrating the gift of creativity through God’s Word.
Join myself and some other wonderful ladies as we share by signing into to the Link below!
Blessings Lori… WOW!!! Leaving me with little to say… ‘Hupomone’ used 32 times in NASB (NT)! And I think I use to run around the tables, cuz I don’t WAIT to well and not too good at running a restaurant either (though that control in me may try). Tribulations always get me… and I definitely need to be strengthened.
Ya think the word Hoop la… comes out of this?
I definitely need more HUPOMONE in mine. Here’s all I got…
“Hupomone is the ability to endure when circumstances are difficult – not a passive sitting down and bearing things but a triumphant facing of them so that even out of evil there can come good, a bearing up in a way that honors and glorifies our heavenly Father.
The difficulties in our lives,
The obstacles we face,
Give God the opportunity
To show His power and grace”
In Colossians…. strengthened is passive voice which means the strengthening comes from an outside source… a God supply… So both the steadfastness
‘hupomone’ and the patience(makrothumia)called for in the life of a believer cannot be lived in the sphere of mere human strength but requires His supernatural strength. That’s Resurrection Power! That’s Holy Ghost filling!
Glory! Hallelujah!
I’m praying that we are more attuned to the Master’s voice that we are able to wait and rest until we HEAR Him call and that we have ALL the ‘HUPOMONE’ that we need TO WAIT or TO FLOW! Tomorrow I’ll serve me up some of that HUPOMONE and check out your Pastor Steve’s sermon. Thanks for sharing the Living God!
Peace,
Peggy
[Translate]
Learning to limit myself so that I may have a rested body. In rest, in Him, doing what He has called me to do, I can have amore joyful spirit. Thanks for the introduction to this new word!
Blessings,
Janis
[Translate]
[...] us caring for elderly parents while raising children or babysitting grandchildren, be sure to visit Internet Cafe Devotions. [...]
[Translate]
Hi Lori – Thanks for this lovely Word-filled Wednesday. I love words and word studies and this was so interesting, as was Peggy’s info. And oh my, what perfect timing for these sweetly encouraging words – perfect for all of us caring for our elderly parents while raising children or babysitting grandchildren. We definitely get plenty of opportunity to “practice” this. Have a blessed week!
[Translate]
Guilty as charged — definitely run to the table. What a word for me to see first thing in the morning!
Tribulation works patience. What a great reminder because we certainly don’t think of that when in the midst of it all.
Happy WFW!
Beth
[Translate]
great word! if I can pronounce it!!
[Translate]
What a great word for today! My post was similar. Thanks so much for doing this. I was trying to use Wordless Wednesday for my photo-verse posts and it just didn’t work. Now this is perfect. And, I love your writing. Thanks again!
Karen
[Translate]
Enjoyed this.
[Translate]
Wow. Well said. Love this: “we have been traveling roads that God did not put on our maps.” So true. And I’m there. (Whew!)
[Translate]
Nobody every told me that patience needed to be joyful! Cheerful endurance. I am wrapping my brain around that. Not jaw dragging the ground endurance – but Cheerful endurance! I really needed that – especially since I have been more jaw-dropping than cheerful lately! Thanks for the adjustment!
[Translate]