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Running in Quicksand

Recently I have experienced a onslaught of spiritual attacks that have caused me great despair throughout my life. The Scripture reminds us that our struggle is not a physical struggle only but a spiritual one (Ephesians 6:12) and I must confess, I feel like I have lost many more battles than I’ve won. In my time walking as a follower of Jesus, I have often quoted the Scriptures that tell us that our faith filled life is like a race (Hebrews 12:1) or a war (1 Timothy 1:18) and tried to remind myself to be a good solider (2 Timothy 3:5). Today, I want to confess: I’m tired.

Hebrews 12:1 tells us: let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. If I’m being honest, lately I feel like I’ve been running in quicksand. The pressure has mounted and I feel like I will crumble in my weakness. It is here, in the midst of my deepest weakness that the reminder echos in my heart: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Throughout 2019 and well into 2020 I’ve found myself saying “I’m trying”. I’m trying to be a better husband, a better father, a more faithful servant, to eat right, to live a more vibrant, Christ honoring life. I’m trying. Honestly I’ve reached a point where I am tired of trying, but I wonder if that’s the point. As I continue to focus on what I can do, as I continue to examine my own life in light of my own strength, I am taking my eyes off Jesus. In some ways, maybe I’ve been running the race, but I’ve failed to keep my eyes on Jesus. Hebrews continues: fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

As I’ve found myself running in quicksand, I’ve also found myself taking my eyes off Jesus and somehow thinking I can finish this work that He has started. Scripture reminds us that the One who started a good work in us (the Holy Spirit) will continue that work until the very end of time as we know it (Philippians 1:6). 

To every follower of Jesus that feels weary and tired, you aren’t alone. Jesus has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and encourages us to come to Him in our weakest moments to find true rest (Matthew 11:28). At some point, each of us will come to the end of our own strength. When you find yourself trying to run in quicksand, fix your eyes on Jesus and cry out to Him, He will strengthen you and help you bare whatever burdens your facing.

Whatever you do, do not lose heart (Hebrews 12:3). Do not give up (Galatians 6:9). Keep fighting the good fight. Rest in the presence of Jesus. Never forget: we aren’t fighting for victory, we are fighting from victory.

Special note from the author: If you’ve read the words I’ve written today, but you don’t read and mediate on the Scripture, nothing will change. My words cannot change your life. The Scriptures I’ve shared though can change everything (Hebrews 4:12).

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) – 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.

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By Daniel Higginbotham, ago

Is this the Beginning of the End?

As the virus known as COVID-19 or Coronavirus continues to ravage its way across the world, this question has come to my mind on more than one occasion: is this the beginning of the end? The purpose of this blog post is not to discuss eschatology, the study of end times prophecy and events. The purpose of this message is to share a very important truth: regardless of when Jesus returns, we should be actively sharing the Gospel with the world. We should continually be discipling other followers of Jesus.

Anyone who has known me since I gave my life to Jesus in September of 2011 has likely experienced the passion and excitement I once had as I studied prophecy and end times events. There was a time where I spent countless hours reading prophetic news events from around the world, visited end times prophecy websites and forums, and studied the Scriptures thinking Jesus would return at any moment. Then, something happened along the way… I became almost consumed with “looking up” for Jesus that I became paralyzed with inaction serving Him here.

Lest you misunderstand me, the study of Scripture is of critical importance for every follower of Jesus and should be a daily discipline. So we are clear, Jesus thought His second coming was important enough to speak about the end of days on more than one occasion. Plainly said, I encourage every person to take a honest look at Matthew 24 and Luke 21 to understand an important truth: Jesus is coming again. The events that He said would happen are beginning to happen; and just as the “birth pains” increase until a child is born, so the events Jesus told us would increase in measure and intensity will continue to do so until His coming.

So back to my question, is this the beginning of the end? The answer is “I don’t know”. Only the Father does… (Matthew 24:36) When Jesus told us to “look up” because our redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28), what Jesus was not saying was to become so mesmerized  by these events that we stopped serving Him. Is Jesus coming again? Without a doubt. Should that excite us? Most certainly! Should that change how we act or serve Him? Most definitely! It should increase our urgency, passion, and resolve.

The purpose of this message is to share from the painful lesson I’ve learned. To my brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, let the Master find us at work when He returns. If that’s this week or 100 years from now, let us be faithful in taking the Gospel to the nations. Don’t get so caught up on being “caught up” (raptured) that you forget the world that God so loved He gave His only Son (John 3:16) not wanting any to perish (2 Peter 3:9).

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By Daniel Higginbotham, ago

When Life Comes Crashing Down

There are some moments in life where life can come crashing down on us. Where our picture perfect lives and the daily routines come to a screeching halt. Where the unthinkable sneaks up on us from behind and changes our lives in an instant. For me this moment was March 11th 2017.

Today marks the 3rd anniversary of a car wreck that literally had my life crashing down around me. Through the screeching sounds of breaks, breaking glass, air bags being deployed (all sounds I don’t remember), every illusion I had was shattered that day. In an instant, my little girl Brynleigh left this life for the next and my wife, my son, and I stepped in to a nightmare we never expected.

Even three years later the pain is fresh. As I look at images and videos from the wreck, I still struggle to believe this is all real. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the wreck, I encourage you to watch a video I prepared called Cupcakes and Rainbows or you can read a seven day devotion I wrote called Cupcakes and Rainbows: Life After Tragedy.

On this anniversary of the wreck I feel like it would be a betrayal not to honor the memory of my late wife Cassie and my beloved daughter Brynleigh not to remember that day, to celebrate their life, and to use their tragic death as an opportunity to share these truths: life is short. Life is unexpected. Life is fragile. Sometimes our routine lives can lay shattered in ruins around us and no matter how loud we scream, how desperately we beg, or how broken our hearts, we don’t get a redo. 

Today as I write this blog post, I am comforted by the fact that God is still good. I have confidence I will see my daughter again, and hope that I will see my late wife Cassie again. Jesus tells us in Scripture that in this life we will have tribulation (John 16:33) but tells us to rejoice because He has overcome this world. I am thankful that this life is not the end of my story. It isn’t the end of Brynleigh or Cassie’s story either.

I would give anything to rewind the clock to March 10th 2017 and spend one more day with them both. I can’t go back but what I can do, what I must do, is share the truth: today may be your last day too. If today was your last day, what do you wish you would have done in life? Do it. Who do you wish you would have forgiven or made amends with? Forgive them. What do you wish you would have said to your spouse or your children? Tell them.

Scripture warns us that this life is like a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow (James 4:14). Stop waiting to make it right until tomorrow, do it now. Tomorrow may never come. Speaking of no more tomorrows… if you died right now, are you prepared to stand before God? Some of you may say “there is no God”… are you sure? Most of us won’t even buy something cheap on Amazon without reading the review… but you aren’t even exploring if there is a God or not?

Had I died on March 11th 2017 along with my beloved wife and daughter, we would have all 3 entered in to God’s presence together. Scripture tells us that God loves each one of us and gave His only Son Jesus so we could be forgiven and free (John 3:16). My greatest desire for you is not to remember my name, not to remember my story, but to know a God who loves you and gave everything so you could be forgiven and free.

To all my friends, family, and brothers and sisters in Christ who have supported us, prayed for us, and walked through this nightmare with us, thank you. Keep Cassie and Brynleigh’s memories alive by speaking of them and thinking of them often. To Cassie and Brynleigh, I love you more than I ever knew possible, I’m so sorry I didn’t realize the depth of that love until you were taken from me. Kasen and I both love you, we will see you again soon.

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By Daniel Higginbotham, ago