How many sound, Bible-preaching churches do you know of that are more than one-hundred years old? How many preachers do you know of that have been at it for more than twenty years? There are not too many, are there?
What about you? How long have you been doing what you are doing? Why? How long will you continue doing what you are doing. Why?
Living for the long haul doesn’t necessarily mean that you should keep doing the same thing for the rest of your life. But it is a mindset. It is living in such a way that if God wants you to do the same thing in the same place for the rest of your life, you can! If your goal is a wholesome longevity, a sustained life that matters, then you must ask yourself, “What does long-haul living require?”
• Long-haul living requires purpose. There is a difference between living for the long haul and simply continuing the same routine because I have nothing else to do. I should be guided by my God-given purpose because there is no virtue in either change or stability apart from that.
• Long-haul living requires passion. “Burnout” is sometimes a synonym for “boredom”. In an interview with Western Horseman Magazine, five-time world champion rodeo cowboy Billy Etbauer explained, “I always wanted to be a cowboy…I just feel blessed that I was able to make a living doing that.” Years later, having retired from rodeo, Etbauer describes himself as “totally content.” That is long-haul living.
• Long-haul living requires health. John Maxwell says, “If you live well, time is your friend.” Health involves more than one’s physical wellbeing. It also involves making decisions in light of long-range goals. Knowing what you should and should not sacrifice is important to your health for the long haul.
• Long-haul living requires vision. I find myself frequently asking God for vision for the Bill Rice Ranch. Lately, I have found myself asking the Lord for vision for Wil Rice IV! If I know where God wants me to go, the ministry I steward will come along, as well.
Recently, I was privileged to give a tour around the Ranch to deaf friends, one of whom had been a camper here thirty years ago. The Ranch is still doing the same thing now that we did then! But if my friends’ grandchildren come to the Ranch in another thirty years, whatever will have changed or remained the same had better have a good reason why.
Why are you doing what you are doing, and how long will you last?