Perseverance. An interesting concept Paul so eloquently wrote about.
However, as I come face to face with the beautiful ideal, I’m coming to acknowledge the dependence and focus that word requires of us.
And this giving of thanks always…is that possible?
For the first time in my life, I actually chose perseverance and thanksgiving.
Thailand was a month almost squandered. A month in which I didn’t feel like investing in ministry. Didn’t feel like spending time in community. Didn’t feel like digging up roots with the Lord.
I felt like wallowing. I felt the need for pity. I felt like withdrawing.
But, I didn’t follow feeling. I followed the choice.
Anytime I’ve gotten an invitation to my own pity-party, I drag my feet in, close the door to community and God, and wallow…sometimes for months.
I would justify and justify and when I would finally reach my breaking point, then would I let the Healer, Comforter, Restorer, Friend in.
It was a month started with ingratitude. I wasn’t in the city I wanted to be in. I was doing another type of ministry that didn’t make my heart soar.
The wrongful discontentment would have ruined me if the Lord hadn’t been growing in me a new heart over the Race. A heart that catches itself and seeks the Lord’s heart in all things.
I saw why He had my where He did this month and ended up loving the school we partnered with.
And man, the joy that replaced my ugliness.
It was still a hard month. Hard to address my pride. Hard to go to community. Hard to invest and love the kids.
But Jesus helped me pick up my feet and plug along…and eventually, by the end of the month, I was running with Him. At times, literally running with him as I jammed to my exercise music.
There are so many stories about how God moved this month that I want to share and will.
But for now, the Lord just wanted me to share a video that my squad mentor shared with me. Whether its perseverance, thankfulness, love, forgiveness…open your eyes and ears to the truth of this message:
