The old Disney movie, Hercules, is one of my favorite movies. It came out when I was growing up and not only did it capture my love with its charming story, but the music really hit me. Especially the song ‘Distance.’ It’s a great little tune about finding where you belong. Even today, I still sing to myself that “I can go the distance, if I can be strong. Every mile will be worth my while. I will go most anywhere to find where I belong.”
Being restored to Christ for almost 7 years now, I’ve found where I belong. I’m a new creature in Christ, a son of God and a brother to my fellow believers. The thing is, I’m still trying to go the distance. For Hercules, when he proved himself to be a hero, he found where he belonged and he no longer needed to ‘go the distance.’ His mission was complete. For me and any Christian, our missions began once we became convicted & practicing believers. We will spend the rest of our time here on this earth trying to ‘go the distance’ through holy living, studying and teaching.
Traveling the distance is hard though. I’ve come to the realization many times that I can’t go the distance. When left to my own wants and desires, I cannot make it the entire distance. Some days I feel like I can. Sometimes I feel like I’m in tune with God down to the finest detail. Other times I feel like I’m all alone, struggling to maintain my connection with Him and I want to give up! I’m just not strong enough to go the distance…on my own.
When I’m struggling, I’m often reminded of two hymns. One comes from
Isaiah 40:28-31, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
The second comes from Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The ups and downs of life will have us questioning whether or not we can go the distance. We can’t make it alone, but if we have found where we belong in Christ, we have access to strength that only comes from God and His community of believers. Pray, read His Word, follow His commands, confide in fellow Christians and keep pushing on. “Every mile will be worth our while” in the end.