The Long Road of Perseverance

When I opened my Bible this morning, a notecard with a definition fell out. It read….

Perseverance: the quality that allows someone to continue trying to do something even though it is difficult. This is a word a couple friends picked to describe me as they sought to encourage me. Honestly, it’s the last word I would’ve chosen. I don’t feel like I persevere very well, and often it’s the last thing I want to do when things are continually difficult.

When the reality of our broken world slams us and the sinfulness of our own hearts is vividly on display, how do we persevere? Hebrews 12:1-3 is a familiar passage, but perhaps one that will provide some encouragement and insight.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (ESV)

A few things strike me about this passage....

1. We don’t choose the race—it is set before us. 
   This is hard to swallow because we like to be in control. The secular idea that you "create your destiny" certainly sounds more appealing. But God, in His love, orchestrates circumstances we would not pick for ourselves in order to make us more like Him. Sometimes we'd rather have an easy road than a sanctifying one. I know I would! Thankfully, God is incredibly patient with us. For those He calls His children, He is committed to making us like Him. And that happens through the struggles and difficulties of the race of life.


2. We will fail. 
   This might not sound encouraging, but hear me out. As a redeemed sinner, living in a sin-cursed world, you will sin. You will struggle. This is why Hebrews tells us to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely.” Instead of looking back and letting past sin weigh you down, look up to Jesus. He provides cleansing and forgiveness when we fail. We are clothed in His righteousness, not our own. So don’t despair when you fail, but let your weakness push you to greater dependence on Christ. He doesn't condemn His children for their failures, but delights when we recognize our need and turn to Him.


3. The only way to persevere is to look to Jesus. 
   As long as our eyes on our circumstances, things will seem dim and we will be prone to despair. We will wonder how we can persevere for the long-haul. According to Hebrews 12, how did Jesus persevere and endure the betrayal of friends, the mocking of the crowd, the agony of the cross, and separation from His Father? By considering the joy ahead—the joy of being at the right hand of God. Similarly, only when we look to Jesus and our future hope can we continue when things are unbearably hard.

The Christian journey is not one of ease. That is not promised to us. But we are promised that Jesus, the One who went through the worst suffering for our redemption, will be with us in our suffering.

So look to Him when the burdens of life overwhelm you. It doesn't make the hardships go away, but there is comfort found in knowing that Jesus is with you in the fire, and that one day, all that sorrow and difficulty will result in endless joy.