31 Days: Pathway to Perseverance - Knock It Off!



I love words. I love to think about words. We can study the root meaning of words, the origin of the word or perhaps the variations of spelling and sometimes that is the most powerful understanding.  Other times, it is a revelation of the nuance behind the word or the way the word is used that is powerful. That is especially true about the Bible. Words in the Bible come alive, evoke emotion, encourage deep reflection and permeate our very souls. 

"For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart"  Hebrews 4:12. 

The focus of our study is perseverance.  The Collins English Dictionary defines perseverance as (1) continued steady belief or efforts, withstanding discouragement or difficulty; persistence (2) [Christianity] persistence in remaining in a state of grace until death. We could either stop right here and simply say, refer to paragraph one of this blog and every one of us would be able to make our own assumptions about the definition. Or, I could spend hours writing volumes about the implications of the dictionary definition and try hard to impress you with my witty words or observations based on my specific life experiences. I will not do that. I offer just one simple "eye spy with my little eye" topic to think about.  Perseverance is linked specifically to the Christian life. Christianity has its own definition listed right here for the world to see and to think about.   

Unlike the dictionary, our understanding of what is written in the Bible is formed, framed and internalized through our own personal experiences and lens. God uses our unique and specific make-up to connect with us. Scripture literally jumps to life before our eyes and changes our hearts. Then we share what we know and experience with others and the Word breathes. At least that is how it felt to me when I spent a bit more time reading the verses that led to the topic for this 31 day writing experience.

 "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" Romans 5:3-5. 

Our good English dictionary lists perseverance as a noun. If you go back to your grade school days, you may remember a noun as a person, place or thing. According to the definition it is a belief.  I would have described perseverance as a verb form; an active word.  The passage shows so much more than an active implication, perseverance produces character.  Perseverance is action!

The famous artist, Michelangelo is credited to have said, "Every block of stone is said to have a sculpture inside of it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it."  Perseverance is the hammer and chisel in the sculptor's hand. Through trials, challenges and stuff that is just downright hard, the square rough edges that once made us shapeless blocks of stone, start to uncover the character within. And, the unmasking of our character produces hope. This is nothing less than miraculous. Painful as it is sometimes, God is the master artist and in his hands we become a masterpiece.   


perseverance. (n.d.). Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. Retrieved October 4, 2017 from Dictionary.com website http://www.dictionary.com/browse/perseverance

Comments

  1. Lorilee GuenterOctober 6, 2017 at 3:48 PM

    I love the picture you paint with the words here. Perseverance is something I have been thinking of a lot lately. This is a timely reminder for me that perseverance is action. Thank you.

    visiting from www.untroubled.org/lori

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