31 Days: Pathway to Perseverance - Perspective Keeps the Course

I heard a sermon recently and the pastor bravely confessed that sometimes when he needs to think about a request or if he intends to delay a decision, he will say "I will pray about it" without necessarily intending to do so.  He said something else that really made me think. When we use "Christian language" that is without meaning or intent, we risk trying to be more spiritual than God. Is it possible that we can think of ourselves more highly than God or more spiritual than the one who is himself the Spirit? I believe so, and it happens when we take our eyes off of the end goal, our tenacity and steadfastness wanes.

If we look at some of the heroes of the faith, like Moses, we can see how important it is to always keep our perspective of God in proper order.  Hebrews 11:27 says, "By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible."  Moses was able to keep going, despite all that went awry because he kept his eyes on God.

One of the greatest examples of perseverance in the Bible is Job. He suffered utter devastation and the loss of his entire family. After listening to his friends try as best they could to get Job to confess some hidden sin so they could all find the reason behind his extreme trial, Job finally has his opportunity to hear God.  Job's response was utter humility. "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes" Job 42:5-6.

It is impossible to have the tenacity to continue through this life's journey without really seeing God for who he is and seeing clearly who we are.  It is in the understanding of our smallness in comparison to God's utter greatness that we can put one foot in front of the other giving thanks for the prize at the end of the course.


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