PERSEVERENCE

Hebrew 12:1-3

Philippians 4:13

PERSEVERANCE (noun)

1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
2. Theology. continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.

Source: www.dictionary.com

Several years ago, Tom and I vacationed in the Black Hills of South Dakota. We, who are tree people, endured endless miles of nothing but treeless, flat prairie because, like those courageous pioneers who came before them, we believed the trip was worth it.

Upon arriving at Custer State Park, the heavens opened and ended a three year drought. For five nights in a row, dressed in a rain suit, I stood out in the rain preparing supper because someone forgot to pack the rain fly. But I put up with it because I believed the trip was worth it.

At six o’clock in the morning, on the Wilderness drive, we huddled in our very small Dodge Omni surrounded by a herd of very large buffalo because we believed the trip was worth it.

One of the last days we were there, we hiked to the top of Mount Coolidge, and we knew the trip was worth it.

At some point in our lives, we’ve all set a long-term goal, took on a big challenge or made a serious commitment to something or someone. We persisted, we stuck to it and we persevered because we believed it was worth it.

The thing about life, though, is that things that are “worth it ,“ usually aren’t that easy to achieve. Our course of action may resemble a tri-athalon or the leg of the Tour d’ France that goes through the French Alps. Like a long distance runner, we may even hit the “wall,” and lose our energy, our momentum and our motivation, finding ourselves metaphorically lying at the side of the road puking our guts out.

The “race” or course of action Paul was referring to in Hebrews 12:1-3 was a commitment to Christ and living a Christian lifestyle. The readers of this letter had hit the “wall.” Constantly struggling against the temptations of the cultural norms and social expectations of the Roman world, these young Christians were weary and spiritually worn out.

Because of we, as Christians, live in and through God’s grace wherever we are, whether it’s at work, home or school, Paul’s advice to his readers to persevere is relevant all aspects of our own lives, spiritually, emotionally and physically. Our shared goal is eternal life and abundant life here and now through Jesus Christ.

Paul reminds them that they aren’t on the journey alone. They are surrounded by a “cloud of witnesses,” those faithful people of God who had gone before them, whose stories can inspire them and give them hope.

Because we find healing and wholeness from being part of groups where we can share our stories and gain wisdom and inspiration from others on the same journey, we have resources like counseling and support groups as well as small, learning and fellowship groups in the church. Our own “cloud of witnesses” can be found in the stories of the Bible as well as in our fellow members in the Body of Christ.

And we have Jesus. We have a Savior who loves us so much that he put on our humanity to carry not only our sins to the cross but also to understand what it is like to overcome obstacles, face challenges and rejection. Jesus knows what we go through; Jesus gets it and Jesus is there with us providing the power to break through the “wall” so we can persevere. Philippians 4:13 says we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

So, when my husband takes a four-year assignment in Georgia, I know it will be all right, that I will make it through this because I know that I know that I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

When the Bishop decides to appoint me to a three-point charge, I know it will be all right, not because I’m being optimistic, but because God has proven it over and over again in my life that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

When we hit those “walls” in the course of our lives walking in the grace of God. Remember this. We are not alone on the journey. In his song, “Surviving the Life,” Neil Diamond writes, “Life ain’t easy, but it ain’t that bad.” I believe that’s true, because when life isn’t easy, we have Jesus, and we can do all things through Christ who strengthen us.