Unplug, Pause, Reset: The Power of Endurance

What’s good, Royalty?

Let me keep it all the way 100 with you this week…

I had the absolute honor of sitting in the sanctuary for my mom’s ordination, and let me tell you—it wasn’t just a service, it was a move of God. The preacher didn’t just bring a word; they brought the whole weight of heaven with them. They didn’t come to impress. They came to ignite. And what they released into the atmosphere? Whew. A reminder, a reset, and a relentless charge to finish the assignment.

So today’s blog post is for every builder, every dreamer, every leader, and every soul who’s ever thought about quitting. If you’ve ever stared at your calling and wondered if you had enough in the tank to carry it to completion, this is for you.

"Don’t Quit — Finish the Assignment"

The sermon's core message brought by Bishop Charley Hames was crystal clear:
“Your harvest is connected to your endurance.”

We ain’t just talking about spiritual lingo for Sunday mornings. This was real life application. The preacher framed it in a way that spoke to the fatigued, the faithful, and the forgotten. Sometimes we think that if we’re tired, we must be out of alignment. But the truth is, excellence will stretch you. It’s not for the faint of heart. It’s for those who can keep moving when quitting feels easier.

That quote hit different. Because let’s be honest—sometimes we’re not out of purpose; we’re just out of power. And we’ve forgotten how to pause and let God reset us.

The Rubber Band Principle

The preacher used the image of a rubber band: it's only useful when it’s stretched. And we are no different. Ministry, leadership, purpose—it’ll all stretch you. But that stretch? That’s where the strength is developed. That’s where God teaches you to rely on Him when your own willpower taps out.

And that’s the difference between being talented and being anointed.
Talent performs. Anointing endures.

Gospel Truth in a Black Mama’s Voice

Now, here’s where the sermon took a cultural turn that had every Black soul in the room nodding deep. The preacher quoted Langston Hughes’ “Mother to Son.” Which is My Mother’s Favorite Poem by the way. And you know she jumped up for joy!!

Y’all… that poem is gospel. That’s generational wisdom wrapped in rhythm and rawness. That’s Harriet Tubman’s echo. That’s every Black grandmother, auntie, and mama who kept going when she should’ve broken. And that was the preacher’s charge to my mother—and to all of us watching:

Keep climbing.

When Doubt Knocks, Let Grace Answer

The preacher didn’t ignore the reality of doubt. Bishop referenced the road to Emmaus—when Jesus walked beside two disciples whose faith was fading. Doubt is human. It’s not the enemy; it’s the hallway between where you are and where God is taking you.

And when John the Baptist, the same man who baptized Jesus, questioned Him from a prison cell, Jesus didn’t rebuke him. He sent confirmation. Because doubt doesn’t disqualify destiny. It just demands direction.

Galatians 6:9 — The Word That Won’t Let Go

That “if” right there? That’s not soft. That’s not casual. That’s the hinge the whole verse swings on.
“If we don’t faint.”

Bishop made it plain:
We don’t lose because God gave up on us.
We lose because we gave up before the promise had time to mature. Pause and Consider here…

The reaping season is real—but it only comes to those who endure.

Leadership Ain’t Glamorous—It’s Grit

This sermon didn’t just inspire; it warned. Bishop laid it out:
Ministry isn’t applause. It’s weight.
It’s fatigue.
It’s faith with blisters.

And if your ego’s driving the call, you’ll crash before you reach the assignment.

This wasn’t a message for the hype-driven. It was for the assignment carriers. For the ones who’ve cried in silence but still showed up to serve. For the ones who’ve been called to lead people who won’t even follow themselves.

And yet—you still don’t quit.

The Reset Moment

One of the most powerful analogies was when the preacher talked about a broken TV that just needed to be unplugged and restarted.

Sometimes what you think is burnout is actually disconnection. You’ve been operating in performance instead of power. And God’s calling you back to your source, not your schedule.

Final Charge: Obedience Over Outcome

Let’s be clear:
This sermon wasn’t about popularity. It was about purpose.
It wasn’t about speed. It was about stamina.
And it wasn’t about easy roads. It was about the right climb.

Like the mother in Hughes’ poem, the preacher said,
“Don’t sit down now. Don’t give up.
I know it’s hard.
But I’m still climbin’.”

And I felt that in my soul.

So, What Are You Building?

As we close out the “What Are You Building” series, let me ask you straight up:
Are you building something that can last through pressure?
Are you building your life on applause or assignment?
And when life puts splinters in your stairway, will you keep climbing?

This week, take some time to unplug, pause, and reset.
Ask God for fresh power.
Because the harvest is still ahead—but it’s reserved for those who finish.

And just like Bishop said at my mom’s ordination…