The Reservoir

By D’edra Y. Armstrong
This week's topic: Finishing Well

If you’ve ever observed athletes during any extended race, you've noticed that they exert the greatest strength during the last few meters of the race, or as it is commonly called, “the stretch” of the race. It happens because the finish line is visible and the desire to reach it intensifies, signaling a release of stored energy that invigorates the mind, body and spirit, causing the person to persevere or strive forward.

The Bible says that we overwhelmingly conquer—Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37). There is never a reason to quit; we are destined to overcome. We are fashioned by God. And the same place that stores and releases physical energy and strength also stores and releases supernatural energy and strength. There’s a reservoir inside of each and every one of us.

For instance, how many times have you looked back over your life and wondered how you survived some of your worse setbacks? How many times have you thought about quitting just to discover that the end was closer than you thought? We are equipped with the power to overcome, triumph and prevail. I am reminded of the story of Moses and the Children of Israel concerning their captivity. Moses was told NO on ten different occasions by Pharaoh. But he did not lose faith or give up on the mission—he persevered. He was the personification of a reservoir.

Now, what is a reservoir? Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary gives us three definitions of a reservoir: 1. a place where something is kept in store; 2. an extra supply, a reserve; and 3. an organism in which a parasite that is pathogenic, or disease-causing for other species lives and multiplies without damaging its host….” Given these definitions, a reservoir can be a person, a place, and a thing. And if we were to shed spiritual light on these three definitions, they might read as: 1. a place where strength, energy, endurance, courage, faith, patience, love and understanding are kept in store; 2. an extra supply of mental apparatus; and 3. a person that is not afflicted by their adversities, but remains steadfast and overcomes the challenges and attacks that usually harm and destroy others.

It may take a while to reach the pinnacle in your life, but at your disposal are the tools for survival—they’re in your reservoir. If you need strength, it’s in there. If you need peace, it’s in there. If you need courage, it’s in there. And if you need endurance, it’s in there too. For the greatest assets in life are not material possessions, superficial beauty, or monetary gain; the greatest assets in life are the Fruits of the Spirit that are constantly multiplying inside of you. It explains how you got back up after a fall. It explains why you didn’t commit suicide after a difficult breakup or vicious attack. It explains why you can still smile in the midst of a storm. It explains your confidence despite the odds that are against you. It explains how you beat cancer. And it explains how you overcame depression. It explains how you have persevered. You are a reservoir!

Scriptrue Of The Day: "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." - Romans 8:37 (NKJV)