The past five weeks have been some of the most trying of my entire life. I have seen a young man I loved and invested in die much too young. I have questioned my progress and maturity. I have faced stress on every level and in every aspect of life. It has been intense to say the least. Not coincidentally, I had been preparing a message on perseverance as part of a new sermon series at Oakway Wesleyan and Common Ground Community Church(did I mention that I started pastoring 2 churches in the midst of all this). That message came at just the right time for me. Here’s what James chapter 1 says:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Anyone can be a flash in the pan. In the era of YouTube, anyone can be famous and some people are famous just for being famous. Perseverance is not about being satisfied with the daily grind. It’s about making the daily grind count. It’s about not overlooking the little things that matter in our efforts to do one great thing that matters. Not everyone wants to pay the price, be tested, and work their faith out over time. Most want the answer now, success now, happiness now, riches now….
How can we persevere if we are not tested? God’s not trying to take away the life you want. He’s trying to give you the life you were created to have. Paul writes in Galatians 6:
8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
It’s hard to persevere when you reap destruction. Destruction always leaves collateral damage. Perseverance isn’t just about you, but it’s about your loved ones around you. I’m going to hang in there. I don’t want my son or The Son to think I’m quitting on them.