Perseverance....

Perseverance.  Everyone speaks about it…..some people strive for it…and some humans even exude it when the going gets tough…….and yet, some miss the mark completely.

What gives a person the ability to “Hang it There?”  How can we learn to “Press on” in the face of difficulty?

What gives us the steady persistence in a specific course of action?  What purpose allows us to “Keep on, Keeping on?” 

In spite of major difficulties, obstacles or discouragement what gives you the ability to keep moving forward?  Or, even face the day?

Can you see times in your life when you have had to endure beyond your normal ability?  Have you had to practice an enormous amount of perseverance in one or more areas of your life?  What gave you the stamina to do so?  What does tenacity mean to you?  Is there a constancy in your life that keeps you going?  Do you have a force behind you that allows you to gain confidence even in the face of adversity?  Can you imagine persevering through the unimaginable???

Theologically, the definition of perseverance is the continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.  Wow. 

Continuance – can you do it? 

A state of Grace….do you have it? 

Leading to Salvation - Eternal Salvation -do you want it?

Isaiah 41:10 says: “I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My Righteous right hand.”  Do you know the God who spoke these words to Israel?  If not, would you like to get to know Him?  It is a question I ask to myself about many of the wonderful people in my life who do not know this incredible force.  Available for the asking.  That’s right!  Available - for the asking!  Do you know someone who could use a little perseverance right now?  I do!

I know of a friend who is searching for someone or something like this in their life.  Many days, I talk to myself about it and keep asking this question:  How can I somehow give that state of grace to her?  How could I instill this confidence in her so that she can know that force which is available and ready to be help her for the asking?  If only, I could convince her that there is a Spiritual Being – Three in One – that longs to be in her heart and by her side. 

How do I let her know without being “religious” as she calls it?  How do I let her know it’s a relationship, not a Religion?  How do I get her to truly see?  I don’t want to be pushy.  I don’t want to be offensive.  I don’t want to push any of my beliefs on her.  I don’t want to turn her “off” in any way. 

Yet, I do want her to know this force that can give her this state of Grace.  I do want her to know this confidence.  I do want her to have this strength from above.  I do want her to feel and utilize this perseverance that comes from having faith.  I do want her to know this incredible loving God that keeps me going, gives me purpose and allows me to face anything including adversity!  And, I do want her to know the God who saves.  I want her to “Be Still and KNOW that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).   

And, yet, I hesitate to explain my faith.  I hesitate to talk about this thought process.  I hesitate to explain this way of life.  I hesitate to offer this incredible gift for fear of pushing her away.

So, I look for ways to speak to her that she can consider and perhaps accept.  Nature speaks to me constantly.  So, I use analogies with her about creation.  I try to get her to “Look at the Sunshine, and you cannot see the shadow” as Helen Keller said.

A famous quote on a photograph of the Grand Canyon that I have on my desk at work is this: “In the confrontation between the river and the rock, the river always wins…NOT through strength, but by perseverance.”

I don’t want a confrontation.  I don’t want to be the one who explains poorly.  I don’t’ want her to misunderstand my intentions.  I don’t want to push her the opposite way of love.  I want to be the river.  I want to point her to the River of Life!

I want perseverance to win.  I want confidence to exude from her.  I want her to know how to continue even on the worst days.

I want her to know how loved she is.  I want her to experience grace in a profound way.  I want her to know and have salvation.  Eternally.

So, I ask the God of the Universe to help me be her friend.  I ask God to show me how to love her.  I ask God to allow me to share with her how I make it through the day.  One situation at a time.   One crisis at a time.  One day at a time.  With perseverance that comes from God and God alone. 

Thank you, Lord for your perseverance with me!!!