As I’m walking down the steep hill from our home in TCS Seminary to the local hospital, Sielmat Christian Hospital, I am overwhelmed with feelings of fear and doubt. I think to myself, am I really going to be able to make it down this hill? Let alone, am I ever going to be able to make it all 11 months? This is only the first week for goodness sake, Ashleigh.
In the midst of my complaining, God interrupts. In the stillness and the quietness of my heart, I hear God’s voice saying, “Persevere, my child.”
Throughout my life, when I’ve heard the word perseverance, the saying “keep on, keepin’ on” always came to mind. But I generally thought that this perseverance would come in the midst of a dangerous situation or serious life trial, not in the middle of my walk to ministry during my first week in India.
The Lord, in His perfect timing, has taught me over the past couple weeks in Manipur that this perseverance comes in different forms. For that one day walking down to the hospital, perseverance simply looked like relying on God to put one foot in front of the other. Other days, perseverance comes in the form of steadfastness in faith when God seems really far away.
As I begin my last week of month 1, I’m going to continue to ask the Lord for new forms of perseverance. He has called me to this Race, and I will run with “perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” [Hebrews 12:1-2]
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-5 (My amazing squad leader Danielle gave this verse to me :))
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-5
What do you think God is calling you to persevere through?
