Pushing for Persever(ence?)

Lord, I read about perseverance today - something I can’t spell and don’t have a lot of. 

And watching the Olympics, seeing all these athletes who don’t even know how to give up or quit.. well, it’s a bit convicting. 

You already know this, Lord, but I’ll say it out loud: I tend to give up quickly when things get the least bit tough. 

Yesterday, arguing with my teenager made me want to quit. Today, wrangling middle schoolers made me consider early retirement. Tomorrow, I know facing a dirty house and piles of laundry will tempt me to move into a tent. 

My go-to reflex response to difficulty is to throw up my hands and walk away. 

But Lord, you’ve given me purpose, and that should push me forward (even when I’d rather sit down and cry). 

Remind me of my purpose, God. 

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In parenting, Jacin and I are training our kids to obey us so that obeying you becomes second nature. 

In my classroom, I’m building relationships with students, showing them the unconditional love of Jesus.

At home, I can serve my family and worship you through small acts of faithfulness (and drudgery) like vacuuming and washing clothes.

And YOU, Lord, show me exactly what perseverance looks like. 

You, Lord, demonstrate astounding stick-with-it-ness in your relationship with me. No matter how sinful or inconsistent I am, you never throw in the towel. You never give up on me or leave me. 

Help me imitate your purpose and persistence. 

Remind me to look to Jesus, “the author and perfecter of our faith, who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God.” 

Remind me to “consider Him” so that I “will not grow weary or lose heart” (Heb 12:1-3).