Perseverance

On my last weekend serving Tres Dias the Lord led me to start blogging again.  Since that time I have tried writing daily but have encountered many obstacles.  One computer had a hard drive that ran out of memory.  The hard drive crashed on a laptop.  Another laptop had locked up.  Iniatially, I became frustrated and upset...it seemed futile and became increasingly hard to focus.  Then, I realized, God has called me to do this.  I respond in obedience...the attack begins.  There are a numerous places in scripture that reference persevering through circumstances.  My computer issues are minor.  I know families that are struggling financially, are homeless, have special needs children, currently jobless.  All of these are real life challenges that can be overwhelming.  God calls us to persevere.

Perseverance is defined as steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success; continuing in a state of grace to the end.  Perseverance is pushing through when you want to give up; it is the drive necessary to overcome obstacles to live a life of grace.  Romans 5:3-5 says, "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.  Perseverance is essential ingredient in this life if you desire to live a life that reflects Christs' image.
Christ is our example for everything including perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 says, "May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance."  Christ persevered through horrid circumstances--none of which He deserved and all of which He knew were coming.  If we take an honest look at ourselves some of the things that happen to us we could say we deserve (you speed breaking the law and get a ticket you must pay).

In Hebrews 12:1 it says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."  Take notice that it says to leave the sin behind and RUN with perseverance.  I have the physically fit side of this blog that has been sorely neglected for a while but with my recent diagnosis I have stepped up my exercise.  I began walking Matzke park with my best friend again.  I love walking with her-we take one entire lap and pray for whatever God leads.  It is great physically and spiritually but as I read Hebrews 12:1, Galatians 2:2, Galatians 5:7 and 1 Corinthians 9:24 I have a new desire to take up running.  God tells us to run; run to win a prize..THE PRIZE.  Each one of us has a purpose, a course for our lives that God has set in motion. 

Christ persevered to the cross.  We must be prepared to persevere through our circumstances so that we will be complete in Christ.  James 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

May you persevere and run the race that God marked out for you when He knit you in your mother's womb (actually before time began).  He has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11) persevere so that you can see it through to the very end and receive the crown of life.  James 1:2 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3CVlv2dz3w
Mandisa He Is With You