July 26

Day 134: Refresh the Reservoir

Perseverance is something we appreciate. We rest in the presence of the Holy Spirit, trusting in the "perseverance of the saints."

Perseverance in and through life's challenges, the ability to "hang in there" during tough times, is something we admire. In other people.

The commitment and capacity to be tough when the going gets rough, while the circumstances would encourage otherwise, seems to us something of a virtue.

Even if we don't necessarily see the need to emulate it ourselves.

When things are not favorable, some of us murmur and complain to anyone who will hear. Others will weep. Some will lash out, especially on social media. Still others will withdraw and isolate themselves from community, everyone who could be an encouragement.

And for others, when factors are not favorable, will look for an out clause. An escape. A way to run away.

We each have a propensity, a bent toward one or several of these reactions to difficulties. I know my own quite well. When left to my own devices, I am a quitter. In my mind, the most plausible response to hard circumstances is to leave those circumstances behind. And run.

Today's challenges are now every day challenges. We cannot run from our society's reactions to and restrictions respective to Covid. We are a homeless church. Even our poor summer weather is a metaphor for how many of us could choose to see life these days.

How does anyone persevere through this?

Complaining doesn't improve anything. Nor does weeping, for that matter. Posting your anger on social media just makes the writer look angry. Isolating one's self from community is antithetical to survival.

And looking for an escape hatch usually means the problems follow the escapee.

None of us can persevere if we do not already have a reservoir to draw from.

Peter describes what is in a full reservoir in his second epistle, "Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance..."

Faith is not just a set of doctrines, but a relationship that depends on Jesus alone. The "virtue" here is courage. Not many are born with that particular trait, so we have to ask God for it. Courage is giving yourself the permission to persevere.

It takes courage to study God's Word. It really does. Not because it's hard to understand - but because we know we may not like what we read about us and our sin and the new life Jesus calls us to. Because we fear change, especially if we fear that change being forced upon us.

It takes courage to be willing to change, and be changed.

Self-control is owning the responsibility for our own heart's development. Placing limits on whatever our propensity to respond to hard times may be. Getting control of my thoughts, my words, my life's choices is a lot of work. With no guaranteed success rate. Requires daily diligence.

As perhaps this finds you this morning, I too am praying for perseverance. I need to continually refresh my reservoir.

And ultimately, the refreshment of my reservoir will come from Jesus.

If these present circumstances result only in an increased dependency and capacity to pray, believe and obey, then these same circumstances will have been for His glory. And my persevering joy.

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau