The Joy of Perseverance
Life has a way of presenting unpleasant interruptions; however, God often uses those interruptions as teachable moments. Recently, my teachable moment came when my washer, which had a 10-year warranty, quit after 10 years and one month. Fortunately, I had a home warranty, so a technician came and delivered the verdict that the washer was not repairable. Happily, the warranty company ordered a new washer.
A month later the new washer arrived and was installed. I put in the first load and noticed a strange, loud, grinding noise. I surmised that it might be normal for that washer. After all, it was new, so what could go wrong?
I was able to do three more washes until last Friday. After a few minutes of much noise, there was silence. The washer had stopped with a full tub of water, but after selecting “Drain and Spin” nothing happened. I then unplugged the unit to see if it would reset, but after waiting, then plugging the cord back into the outlet, the washer was dead.
Now I had a load of laundry sitting in a full tub of water. Thus began the 50-minute laborious chore of wringing water from the clothes back into the washer. Fortunately, my cousin lives next door, so I was able to take the clothes to be re-washed and dried.
Faced with an oversized washer filled to capacity with water, I did not have a Shop Vac to quickly extricate the water. No, this required labor intensive work, which I procrastinated doing for two days.
Late Sunday night, I grabbed a pan from the kitchen and began the arduous task of scooping out the water. If that wasn’t difficult enough, I then had to carry each load of water from the laundry room to the kitchen for disposal, which required at least 100 or more back and forth trips.
The water level finally reduced to the point of not being able to use the pan, so I switched to a 4-cup measuring container. When that no longer worked, I changed to a 1-cup container, then to a soup ladle. By 1:30 a.m., I was exhausted, and my back was throbbing due to degeneration of L 4, 5, 6 & 7 discs.
While contemplating leaving the remaining water until Monday morning, the Holy Spirit gently spoke into my spirit, “Persevere. Don’t give up. This is a lesson in perseverance for the days ahead.” So, I resumed using the ladle.
As the water level lowered, I transitioned to a large serving spoon. Eventually I used a sponge to squeeze the remaining water into a glass container. The draining of the washer had become more than a 2-hour marathon. However, when looking inside the washer, I experienced the reward and joy of what perseverance brings. And the repairman, who wasn’t scheduled for four more days, came Monday.
God showed me the importance of perseverance, reward, and the feeling of success when not giving in to weariness and/or feeling defeated. So, what is the definition of perseverance? It means to be persistent, tenacious, unshakable, determined, dedicated to the mission, resolved, enduring, and patient with purpose and stamina.
We learn from Romans 5:3-5 that when troubles come, we are to consider them as opportunities for building faith, praying, and developing endurance as we face a multiplicity of daily challenges. Some challenges come from things that we have little control over such as corrupt governments, unrestrained violence, hatred, and bigotry. We hear of suicides, murders, violence, and thefts occurring daily and nightly in neighborhoods that were once considered safe. Opened borders have ushered in the mentally ill, criminals, and terrorists. There is pervasive homelessness, and criminals and vagrants taking over downtown areas, forcing businesses to close their doors. The list is too extensive to note.
The Prophet Zachariah warned that the attacks on Israel would be the harbinger for Christ’s return. The Middle East is a hotbed of wars with threats of nuclear war. Iran, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Gaza (Hamas rule) joined forces in calling for the destruction of Israel. The world is experiencing famines, troubles of every kind, sickness, plagues, earthquakes, volcanoes, and unprecedented violent storms that cause mass destruction and death around the world. However, despite all that is happening, Jesus encourages us, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28 NKJV). In the meantime, He urges us to persevere in well-doing:
- “Those who persevere under trial are blessed and will receive the crown of life.” (James 1:12)
- “Consider trials as pure joy, because they develop perseverance.” (James 1:2-4)
- “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
- “Never tire of doing what is good.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13)
- “Persevere so that when you do God’s will, you will receive what He has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36)
- “Run with perseverance, fixing your eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Clearly, God is preparing His Church to stand strong in the last days. Jesus called his disciples to persevere in sharing the gospel. He even told them what the last days would look like. “…nation (people and groups) shall rise against nation (people and groups) and kingdom (of darkness) against kingdom (of Light), and there shall be earthquakes in diverse places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows” (Mark 13:8).
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death. (Presently, Christians are dying for their faith in many countries). And you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time, many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. (Currently, the inerrancy of scripture is being attacked by false prophets and teachers who confuse and mislead people into not trusting Scripture). Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:6-13).
Today, God continues to call His Church to be a light in a very dark world. Of course, the enemy wants to snuff out that glorious Light. And that is why God encourages us to persevere in faith, because He has control over everything—even when it looks like everything is falling apart. But with God’s plan, all things are falling into place. Therefore, we continue to pray and persevere in being a light for Christ, knowing that one day we will have an eternal home with our Heavenly Father.
PRAYER: FATHER, I place my life in Your hands. Your alone know the beginning and end of all things. I trust You to do what is best for me as I daily persevere in doing what You call me to do for You and Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
