ECIPLESHIP for Passionate Christ-Followers

Perseverance is succeeding because you’re determined to, not because you’re entitled to. Achievers don’t sit back and wait for success because they think the world ‘owes them’. No, if you’re wise you’ll ask God for direction, stand firm on the word He has given you, go forward and refuse to quit. You must adopt the attitude of the man who said, “We are determined to win. We’ll fight them until hell freezes over, and if we have to, we’ll fight them on ice.” Recalling the trials he’d faced, Paul said: “I started, and I’m going to finish. I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door… And that’s not the half of it” (2 Corinthians 11:23-28 TM). The Word for Today, by Bob Gass, January 1, 2009 (www.thevine.co.nz)

One word describes Paul – relentless. He was relentless to persevere for something bigger than himself. To persevere, as I am addressing it here, is not just about surviving, but thriving for a greater good. Persevering does not simply mean we keep our heart beating, our thoughts sane, and our heads held high no matter what may come. To persevere means that when we get on the other side of an ordeal, we are better for it, that God’s plan has been accomplished, and that God’s glory has been revealed.

To persevere, we need more than outstanding determination and good information. We need others to help us along. Even though this notion is not popular among many today, it is absolutely true. Our American culture has reinforced the idea that individualism is better than community. We have adopted a dangerous ideology that has convinced us that life is better and easier when it is uncluttered from watchful eyes and caring accountability. We convince ourselves that we can handle life alone better than depending on others. Of course, when we’ve adopted this mentality, we don’t have to deal with our failures, shame, weaknesses, and sin so much. We can pretend that all is well even while our inner world is crumbling in solitude.

Don’t ever climb a mountain in that condition. Don’t ever climb a mountain alone. Never-the-less, those mountainous challenges are a fact of life. We will need to face them. The question is not if it is even possible to conquer them alone. Why try?

Base camp is an essential element in conquering any of the world’s most challenging peaks. Everest’s base camp, for example, stands at over 17,000 feet! This is where teams gather to get acclimated to the high altitude (they stay there for three weeks before ascending the peak), form relationships with their climbing partners, learn from their guides, and prepare mentally for the daunting challenges ahead. The value in togetherness is never overrated in mountain climbing. Only a fool would ever attempt to ascend a mountain alone. To do this means you are asking for trouble. Most wouldn’t even survive. Base camp is essential in conquering any of the world’s most challenging peaks.

Base camp is essential in conquering life’s most challenging peaks too. Don’t go it alone. There is a much better, safer, and wiser way to persevere through life’s hardships.