The times in which we live present ever expanding and even disheartening challenges.

Each of us has a choice to make.

One decision would be to look at the world around us with despair over today’s culture, a culture that disregards truth.

To throw our hands up and say the chaos and hostility in Washington is too much.

To say all politicians are corrupt and evil.

To say it does not matter whether I speak out on issues or take a stand. That’s too hard.

The other decision is the one I make. It’s the decision I invite you to make with me as we enter 2018.

My decision is to persevere in standing for truth.

To not grow weary in well doing.

To trust in the Lord and lean not on my own understanding.

To focus on this work in the same way William Wilberforce did in one of my favorite quotes: “I daily become more sensible that my work must be affected by constant and regular exertions rather than by sudden and violent ones.”

The work we do at Center for Arizona Policy and as citizens of this great state and country is not a sprint. It is a marathon.

Each election cycle brings new challenges. Each legislative session brings new challenges.

Many in today’s culture yell the loudest against the foundational principles I hold most dear – the sanctity of human life, the benefit of marriage between one man and one woman, the freedom to live and work according to my faith.

Oh yes, it would be easy to retire and “enjoy” my remaining years on this earth.

That I cannot do.

Too much remains at stake for our children, grandchildren, the future.

We lurch into 2018 with our political world in turmoil.

Many are saying we’ve lost and there’s no point in raising a banner on the issues we hold most dear.

Same-sex marriage is legal. Religious freedom is threatened like never before. Abortion rates are going down, but they remain too high.

Yet, we also see signs of hope. Signs of our culture starting to view the demeaning of foundational values as going too far.

I do not despair because I know I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

While we always want to “win” the battles we wage, I also know that it is not all about winning this or that victory. It is about making a stand for God’s truth, doing our part, and leaving the results in God’s hands.

I’m in for the long haul.

Are you with me? I sure hope so