Sunday, March 21, 2010

Persistence

So how in the world does a person get through all this when all they want to do sometimes is throw in the towel?

PERSISTENCE!

I've found that being persistent is key. It's not easy but if you stay persistent things tend to work themselves out.

A great example of persistence is found in the Bible when Jesus is trying to teach the disciples the importance of always praying and not giving up. Needless to say, it's been my "go to" scripture here lately.

Luke 18:1-8

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'

4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' "

6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

What a great example of what persistence looks like! So much so, that Jesus uses this story to teach the disciples a lesson.

But maybe we should also pay attention to the last sentence in that scripture.

It says...

However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?


I think that also is a lesson in itself. That we should have more faith than what we sometimes have. The amount of faith it takes to remain persistent and always pray for something or someone we so strongly care about.

I believe with all my heart Jesus knew how easy it would be for the disciples to get discouraged and want to give up when He would eventually leave them. What a great example he used to teach them a valuable lesson in being persistent and remaining faithful.

It's something I believe can help you keep going when you feel like giving up.

1 comment:

Mary Johnson said...

I have always been a big fan of persistence. But what is persistence without faith? I learned a very important lesson this past week. I learned to be patient in waiting on the Lord. He knows our sorrows and frustrations. He knows about Emily. We must wait upon the Lord.
She is His.
I love you all,
MOM