Perseverance

When I was a young man, sports and athletic accomplishments were high on my lists of interests. I played baseball and football whenever and wherever I could. In the street with the neighborhood gang or on the field with our school team.

In the Texas Panhandle, these sports are almost a religion and training can be rough, to say the least. I remember many times having to run the 8 miles out to the golf course. Once, our coach had a bus waiting for us to drive us back to school… but only if we made it to the bus on time! As I started the last ½ mile, I could see the bus waiting by the side of the dirt road. At a ¼ mile I heard the engine start. There were other stragglers behind me, so I knew I wasn’t last. Then, with a 150 yards left, I heard the driver put it in gear and slowly, to my horror start to roll away.

I pushed myself, maybe I could make it… My coach leaned out the door and waved me on as the bus slowly moved forward. “Come on Reid, push it! You can do it!” he yelled. I dug deep into every drop of gas I had left in my tank. 25 yards left and my teammates were hanging out the windows and beating on the side of the bus… 10 yards left and they were screaming at me… 6 feet, 3 feet, I threw myself in the door and felt the strong hands of my coach drag me in. Everyone was clapping and cheering!

Then, the bus stopped. The engine went quiet, and we all waited for the next straggler.

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

“Persevere under trial.” What trials? What hardships? Loyalty to Christ? A pure lifestyle? God’s aim for us is that we should be like Christ, who reflected the Father in everything. That we should stay on the path that leads to the glorification of God. That we glorify Him in everything we do and are.

The goal of this life is not to receive a “pat on the back”, but rather the joy of knowing that I have brought joy to my Master. Inherent in that accomplishment is everything that accompanies a life filled with goodness. We will enjoy the benefits now on earth and the benefits and joy of being in His presence for eternity.

Understanding the reason behind our suffering or trials (which we will never fully do on earth) not only gives us the strength to persist, but also the comfort and assurance that it is indeed worth all that we are going through. Looking back on our lives once we are in His presence, we will understand and see it’s significance and the context.

I love Romans 8:28 which says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” God is working in us and He won’t stop His faithful and loving transformation of our lives. Philippians 1:6 says, “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

God does not start something that He can’t complete. He has planted a seed in my heart and will water it, prune it, till the ground… do whatever it takes to help it grow. However, my submission to Him and my desire for His presence affect both the rate of growth and the depth of love this relationship will achieve.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.