Thursday, September 2, 2010

Persistence

Thursday, September 02, 2010
Persistence. “Stick-ability.” No matter how you word it, there are some things in this life worth sticking with – worth persevering through. This is what separates the “men from the boys,” those who simply casually want things from those who have a burning desire to see things happen. It’s the difference between craving a Dr. Pepper and craving a friend coming to Christ. The varying degrees of desire determine how long we’re willing to wait, and how much we’re willing to wait through. It was, after all, by persistence that the snail reached the Ark.
As a child, I was pretty stinkin’ persistent if I wanted something bad enough. As a matter of fact, as my parents and sisters can attest to, it got me in trouble a few times if I remember correctly. If we were at Wal-Mart and I wanted some new action figure or some new John Deere toy, it took a lot of work for my folks to shut me up. As a matter of fact, the threat of corporal punishment usually did the trick, but it was traditionally used as a last resort. I was a persistent little badger. And when the cause was just, it usually paid off.
Now fast forward 20+ years. How badly do I want things now? I have been known to drive clear across town to the 24 hour McDonald’s at 2AM because I want a Big Mac so badly. I’ve been known to persist through some tough stuff to quench a craving. But this is bigger. This is stronger. This is far more important than some silly craving. This is eternity.
I have a burning desire to see students come to know Jesus. I have a burning desire to see students get set on fire for Jesus and ignite a wildfire on their campus for the glory of Christ. I have a burning desire to see students fall so head over heels in love with the Lord that they want to worship Him every chance they get. I have a burning desire to see a Movement of God sweeping across this town.
And I know a few others who have that same burning desire. And I’m praying for more to acquire it. And guess what – that burning desire – that passion – it will persist through opposition, through hard times, through up hill climbs, through discouragement, through thick and through thin. And why? That’s simple: because there are countless eternities at stake. And God has called us to do something about it.
Jesus told His disciples in Luke 10:20 not to get too excited about the fact that they had the authority to command demons to obey. There was something far better to celebrate: their names were written in heaven. There’s something worth persisting for – more names being written there. Will you stick it out with me?
PS: take a moment right now and lift up the name of Jake Pruett and his wife Nikki and their family to the Lord, would you? He’s a friend of mine from my school days, and a tragic motorcycle accident has left him fighting for his life in ICU. Thanks.

That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
Blake

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