Perseverance

When I say the word perseverance it conjures up several word pictures. Finishing a research paper, a daughter who runs marathons, a friend who took months to rehab from a traffic accident, a marriage that a persistent spouse worked at rebuilding for 24 months and a ballet dancer we know who has practiced for years perfecting her art.

Doubtless, you can add to that list with your own names, faces or stories. What is common to all is the reality that persistence means, determination, doggedness and pressing on when you physically or emotionally want to give up.

Spiritually we are encouraged to persevere in the journey of life but frankly, that is easier said than done. To persevere when we feel like quitting. To persevere when it seems like God is not there. This sounds like textbook material but not a whole lot of help when you’re in the “trenches.”

So how do we persevere? The answer is simple yet profound and found in Hebrews 12:1-2 where we read; “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

So when you feel like tossing in the towel reframe your thinking with thoughts based on the above passage. Thoughts like…

• Many others have persevered and Jesus was enough for them- he will be enough for me.

• Is there ‘stuff ‘ aka ‘sin’ that is dragging me down? What is the Spirit telling me to confess?

• I need Jesus to be the one I look to – keep your eyes on him and his example.