What is the Spiritual Meaning of Perseverance?
I am sure you have heard the term perseverance. It’s a good word meant to encourage us in our efforts. But what is the spiritual meaning of perseverance?
“And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”
Hebrews 12:1a-2b NLT
I was honored to share at my friend Mary Lizzie’s memorial; her life was long and she ran her race well. For 97 years she reflected the love of Jesus and extraordinary perseverance. She understood the spiritual meaning of perseverance.
How do you sum up 97 years of life in 5 minutes? And not any life but one overflowing with love, gratitude, and joy
Impossible but I found a way to express a layer of Mary Lizzie I was fortunate to know.
Mary Lizzie did not have an easy life but a good one filled with the joy of the Lord and focused on sharing the love of God. She was not a celebrity or Olympian but a good and faithful servant who ran her race with endurance keeping her eyes on Jesus, her champion.
Celebrity, success, and microwave satisfaction are a big part of our culture, so perseverance is often overlooked.
Perseverance requires a slow and steady commitment to a purpose.
Spiritual Meaning of Perseverance
How do we persevere in faith staying on the path God has designed for us? How do we not grow weary as we tackle life’s challenges? How do we finish our race strong to the end of our lives?
The spiritual meaning of perseverance is trusting God moment by moment and day by day.
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalms 118:24
We don’t have to be the best and win at everything, we have to be obedient and show up.
Our most important mission is to love and pursue Jesus with all our hearts as we look more like him helping others along the way.
We don’t know if we have 97 years to live but we have today-
We choose how to face obstacles, push through, and persevere.
We also choose how we treat others and show love, gratitude, and joy.
How can we do this without giving up and growing weary?
Just like Magnificent Mary Lizzie, who had a personal encounter with Jesus every day.
We grow closer to Jesus and love others out of the abundance of love we receive from Him.
“Sit with people who sit at the feet of Jesus. The conversations are different. You walk away feeling inspired and not inferior. These are the people who know this Christian walk is a race, but Not a competition.”
Unknown
Prayer to Persevere in Faith
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for today. May I exhibit joy, gratitude, and love toward you and those around me.
Help me run my race by focusing on you and not those around me.
Give me the courage and stamina to overcome the obstacles and disappointments that come my way.
Help me keep my eyes, mind, and heart on you and all you have given to me.
Amen
This devotion was published as part of the Day Break Series on Crossmap.com
Author
Mary Rooney Armand
Mary is the creator and writer for the faith-based blog ButterflyLiving.org. Her writing is featured on multiple websites and she is the author of the book, “Identity, Understanding, and Accepting Who I am in Christ” and Life Changing Stories, a devotional collection, available on Amazon.
