The Call To Persevere

“The Call To Persevere”

By Zach Wood

James 1:4

“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Here’s a word I’d like to put in our minds for this week.  The word is “perseverance”. 

When we see that word, we know it doesn’t mean anything that comes easy.  When someone has perseverance, they put effort into what they do.  People who persevere usually don’t give up quickly.  They try and try and try with determination and exhaust every option possible before going another route.  For many of us, perseverance is something we would like to obtain, but is often hard because it requires much more than we’re willing to give. 

This passage in James is encouraging and challenging for us in that it takes great effort often to last through the trying times of life.  Sometimes we give up too easily and expect others to help.  Sometimes we just don’t want to put forth the effort needed and we procrastinate what needs to be done.  All of us fall victim to this.  It is through perseverance that we learn and gain wisdom and experience so that we become stronger for future challenges that come our way. 

James is clear that we must have perseverance.  But, it doesn’t come through our own effort.  Jesus Christ gives us the strength we need to do the things we need to accomplish.  We simply cannot do it on our own.  We need perseverance, but we also must realize we need Jesus Christ to be our guide so that we can persevere.

Perseverance builds strength and character into our walk with God.  If we cannot persevere, we have little hope.  We give easily.  We don’t put in the effort needed to grow stronger.  It’s in the times of perseverance that we seem to grow the most and learn more than we ever have before.  God alone gives us the strength we need to persevere through all the situations life throws at us.  We all need perseverance.