2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
“Perseverance” is persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
We cannot live a life of significance without perseverance. The successful achieve their goals, but the significant help others to achieve their goals. Successful people celebrate their achievements, but the significant rejoice in the advancement of others. Endurance helps a person to become successful but perseverance is the character trait of the significant. Endurance is strength-driven. It is to patiently endure the weight of the burden. Perseverance is purpose-driven. It is the mindset to move forward despite the weight, challenges and hurdles.
The Apostle Paul is a perfect epitome to “significance”. The terrorist Saul, who transformed as Paul, not only led a righteous and godly life but passionately preached the gospel to lead others to the transformational truth. He makes a challenging statement in Romans 8:35, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No trouble or hardship could dishearten him, persecution did not discourage him; famine, lack, danger, storms or swords could not deter his progress. He did not just endure hardships for Jesus but persevered and progressed through the extremities and exhaustions.
There was a thorn in his body that he prayed three times to be healed or removed but the answer he received from the Lord was a gentle “NO”. ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:9). Yet the unknown sickness or the stumbling block did not dissuade his progress in preaching the gospel. The ailment did not stop his journeys across the seas nor accomplish his purpose on earth.
Perseverance makes us purposeful, passionate and persistent to live a significant life.
Perseverance and Significance:
- Purpose: A purpose-driven life is laser-focused, relentless and fixated on the calling/goal. Criticism, slander or envious animosity of people should not affect us.
- Passionate: Passion is a supernatural energy that gives us the lift to fly.
- Persistent: Paul did not just endure the thorn, but persevered through the pain and fulfilled his destiny on earth.
The perseverant leave indelible marks of significance.
Prayer: Dear Holy Spirit, empower me with passion and perseverance to fulfill my purpose and leave permanent marks of significance. Amen.
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