Perseverance
As I mentioned in my last post, I am going to be using this platform to provide devotional messages from the Bible, with my interpretation of them. Today’s verse is Galatians 6:9, written by the Apostle Paul, which in the New International Version reads “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
January 2 might seem like an odd day to be talking about not becoming weary. After all, yesterday was New Year’s Day, resolutions are still fresh, the first work week of 2022 has not begun for most, and the joy of the holiday season is barely in the rear view. Relative to 2022, there is probably not much to feel weary about but the message of perseverance here is reference to the longer term.
In this specific instance, I am speaking about perseverance in guiding your children to faith. Every action you perform for Christ, every interaction you have with others that shines God’s love, and every word you speak to your children in love is seen by Jesus and by your kids. While it may take time to sink in, we must never “weary in doing good,” and keep setting that example for our children because as Paul says, “at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
My middle child, Avery, is an unbelievable young lady. She is an excellent guitar player who continues to improve every day through hard work. She is extremely smart, driven, and strong willed. While we have attended church as a family since before Avery’s birth and my wife and I had served as volunteers in our church and the ministry of YoungLife, Avery had been resistant to our human efforts to force a deeper participation for her in church and youth group activities.
As a result of things not happening in our timing, there was temptation to become discouraged, but we heeded Paul’s words and continued to pray. That prayer led us to step out of the way and let the Lord work in Avery’s heart in His perfect timing. Our perseverance was rewarded in the most amazing way on Christmas Eve 2020 when Avery accepted Christ as her savior. Since then, her faith has continued to grow. She plays guitar in the church youth band, attends youth group, and has made many strong Christian friends.
The culmination of this process (at least for the time being) and the reason for this message being posted today is that Avery is currently in the floor seats at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta for Passion 2022, a Christian worship conference attended by 60,000 college aged young people. What seemed like an impossibility just 18 months ago has brought me to my knees in praise and worship of God today.
Speaking from first hand experience, I want to encourage you that the struggles are worth it, your children are worth it, DO NOT give up. As 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says “pray continually” and 2 Chronicles 15:7 exhorts us “be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” God hears your prayers and is faithful to reward those who do not give up on trusting Him. Please share your encouraging experiences of perseverance in the Lord in the comments below.