“Perseverance means more than endurance — more than simply holding on until the end.” ~ Oswald Chambers
I’m meditating on these words this morning… thinking about some areas of my life where I’m just “enduring,” just holding on, waiting for the challenge or struggle or hardship to pass — rather than actively persevering. Actively learning and growing. Making the most of the opportunity to draw closer to Jesus through it all.
It’s true that there’ve been times when holding on was all I could really do. And that’s okay. It’s better than giving up and giving in.
But it shouldn’t be my default mode. (Though it’s the one I seem to slip into repeatedly!)
I don’t want to settle for that. I don’t want to miss out on anything God has for me — even in this!
As I try to picture what “actively persevering” would look like in my life today, I’m reminded of how we can actively “wait” on the Lord. We may not be “doing” anything — because there’s nothing He’s showed us to do or freed us to do. But we’re focused on Him, looking for Him, listening to Him. Being faithful in the little things, the ordinary everyday things we know to do — while we wait. And our heart is to trust Him, to glorify Him, to obey Him instantly, the minute He speaks.
Even in the stillness, we’re still actively engaged, still purposeful, intentional.
I think that’s what it means..
I looked up some Scriptures on perseverance:
“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…” Hebrews 12:1
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7
“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5
That last one intrigues me. I want to think a little more about “Christ’s perseverance.” Hmm….
I haven’t been blogging much lately — not because I’ve grown weary of it, but because I’m working feverishly to finish the second book in the What Women Should Know series… it’s due to my publisher at the end of this month! When I fractured my knee in February, I fell behind in my work on the manuscript and I’ve got a lot of writing still to do.
But once it’s done, you’ll see me here a lot more often… and plans are already in the works for our second annual summer Bible study — VBS for GrownUp Girls! I’m excited about it — I can’t wait to share it with you! Details coming soon…
