“Bruce, I feel like I am missing out.”

Bruce, my closest friend, whom the Lord used to ignite my love for Him. When we were young teenagers, Bruce and I would go where young people were to share the word. Through God’s blessing him and I witnessed souls accept Jesus.

I remember a time Bruce and I went to evangelise at a youth camp. Young people surrounded us, eager to listen. Bruce began speaking, and we both took turns. when one ran out of words, the other would step in, until we both had nothing more to say.

During this youth camp, I remember turning to Bruce and saying, “Bruce, I feel like I am missing out.”

Inside me there was a struggle no one saw, like Faithful in Pilgrims Progress. Who Faithful reached the Hill of Difficulty, he met a man by the name of Adam the First. Who eagerly wanted him to employ him, and offered him to marry his three daughters, named the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life.

Faithful hesitated to decline, but he knew this was a trap and refused, but as Faithful wrestled and tried to walk away from Adam the First, it was a fierce struggle that he overcame; and later recalled:

“I turned away from him, but just as I turned, he took hold of my flesh and gave me such a sharp jerk backward that I thought he had pulled me apart and had part of me in his possession. This made me cry, What a wretched man I am!”

What Faithful was expressing was that he felt there was something missing in him. Deep inside, if possible, he did want the proposal from Adam the First. The forsaken opportunity kept coming back to him like a headache that would not go away. His soul craved for that chance again like a man who is thirsty for water. In short, He wanted to gratify his desires that were stronger than the desires he had for God.

Did you know until we reach heaven, this is going to be an ongoing battle for all of us, this is why Paul wrote, “that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22 The path to heaven involves many challenges that make the believer ask if heaven could be a happy place for them.

If in our lives we are not confronted by the enemy let us tremble at the words of Charles Spurgeon, “The reason why the devil lets you alone is that He knows you are his.”

But when we are troubled by the devil let us find comfort in this, the devil would not be going after you if He did not have you.

After I told Bruce, He encouraged me, "I know, but keep pushing."

It is better swimming against a stream than being washed down by it.

Little did I know all along the resistance developed strength in me, that has served as a testimony of hope to others.

So will your faithfulness be to others.