4:49 – Perseverance Matters! Keep Going!

#faithbites #faithjourney perseverance

Setting

After 9 months and 127 million miles, the Mars Perseverance rover has landed. I can’t imagine the work, determination, and perseverance it takes to design, build, test, fly, land, and now operate a car-sized rover on another planet. The hours, blood, sweat, tears, frustrations, and teamwork that is needed to accomplish this feat.

After 6 years, countless revisions, tears, and exhaustion, my EdD diploma came in the mail last night. I was so excited to see it. When I look back, I can’t believe the amount of perseverance I needed to keep going through everything. But I did it with the help of others and of course, God.

Today’s Questions: What does perseverance look like to you? How can you keep going when times get rough?

Scripture

• Phillipians 1:6 – And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
• James 1:12 – Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
• Galatians 6:9 – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Reflection

God’s word provides motivation and strength when it’s hard to keep going on. First and foremost, we see in Philippians that God created a good work in us and will always help us succeed. Second, and we know this, following Christ isn’t easy. We will face trials and tribulations but we will be richly rewarded. All we have to do is keep our faith and love. Finally, we see in Galatians, that we shouldn’t give up and not be weary of doing good. In a nutshell, God wants us to persevere and he will keep us strong.

What does this mean? Does it mean life will be easy? No. Does it mean that we won’t want to give up? No. It means that Jesus loves us, God loves us, and through the Holy Spirit, they will keep us strong in faith if we love God.

As we close, remember that life isn’t going to be easy, but Jesus wants us to persevere. We need to pray, reach out to those who can support us, and take the rest needed to recoup our strength.

As NASA and JPL persevered in the Mars Perseverance Rover, and I in my Ed.D, you all can keep going no matter what happens.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for never giving up on us. You have shown us that all things are possible through you. We get tired and sometimes just want to give up. We pray that you help pick us up and keep us going during those low times. Lord, you have said that we will inherit everything you have promised if we don’t give up and keep our faith in you. You gave us the Holy Spirit to keep and build our faith. We thank you for that. Lord, we pray for perseverance in all things and thank you for that. In your name, Amen.