Michelle and her dad[/caption]
Today is my dad’s 62nd birthday. I am proud to call him my father and my brother in Christ.
In light of this month’s theme, I would like to recognize the integrity with which he has fought many of life’s battles, humbling seeking God’s will and giving God the glory each time.
That one sentence carries so much weight and history in the personal struggles he has faced. They are his stories that I will not take too much liberty to tell. And only he knows the depth of the pain and the challenge of each battle he has faced. But no matter what the battle, he has continued to fight. He has gotten back up after facing defeat. He has not allowed that defeat to define him, but rather has sought to move forward with integrity. Integrity. That is one of the top words that first come to mind when I think of my dad.
The integrity is maintained through the battle when we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus – the one who gives us hope to overcome and rise again, victorious on the other side.
So, today, March 9th, I want to wish my dad a happy birthday, a feliz cumpleaños, and thank him for being an example in my own personal cloud of witnesses that strive to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. ~Hebrews 12:1-3
Is there someone’s battle and victory you identify with in Hebrews 11?