As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

Read: Jeremiah 26:1-27:22, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18, Psalm 85:1-13, Proverbs 25:16

Relate: What is perseverance? What do you say it is? Some say perseverance is a habit. It is the habit of getting up in the morning when you would rather hit the snooze button. It is the habit of doing that extra pushup, taking that extra step, and running one more block. It is the habit of going a little further and not stopping until you know that you are done… and then doing a little more just in case.

Some say perseverance is a personality trait. Whether it is created through nature or nurture, it is a temperament that some people just have. They are the type of people that just cannot quit. They don’t know the meaning of the word. Maybe it is perfectionism in action that wants to make sure everything is just right, maybe its someone’s innate competitiveness that pushes them to do more than the next guy. Whatever the reason, it is part of their personal DNA to just keep going.

Some say perseverance is a choice. Every step I take I can chose to make my last one, or I can go one more. I can punch out when the clock says I’m done, or I can punch out when the task says I’m done. I can turn around and start going back at any time… or I can push forward until I’ve reached the top of the hill. Then, just maybe, there will be another hill I can push on toward after that. It is my choice.

Some say perseverance is focus. My sights are so narrowly set on my goal that stopping is not an option. Distractions are for lesser people, I don’t have time for them because my mind is set on the task before me. Perseverance is a matter of a disciplined mind and by pushing through, I prove that mine is worthy.

React: Some people can give all these reasons and more for why some people persevere. For me, perseverance is a matter of love. I don’t want to keep running but I love what running does for me so I press on. I don’t want to continue helping, but I see those in need with God’s heart so I tarry. I don’t want to get up when that alarm goes off, but I love God too much to sleep in, so I roll to my feet.

Perseverance means that I will continue on because I have the longing, the desire… the love to do so. I will forgive one more time because I long to see the person who wronged me reconciled to God. I will serve one more time because I desire to bless them just as God has blessed me. I will pray for a few more minutes because nothing… nothing, is as great as spending time with the one I love. Perseverance comes because I love the thing, or the goal, or the person, or the God I am striving for far more than I love myself.

Respond: 

Dear God,
I love You. Help me to love You more. Help me not to do the good things I do so that I might be seen, or even because its the right thing to do. Help me to persevere in doing good because I love You. Help me to follow Your example as the One who walked up the hill, carried the burden, and then stayed… until it was finished.
Amen