Knockout!
Perseverance is a vital ingredient in our lives. Without it, we won’t get far.
In his parable of the Sower and the Seed, Jesus describes those disciples who persevere for a while, but when troubles come, they give up. Others allow the “weeds” of life - the distractions of money, stuff, and comfort - to turn their heads and lose their focus. The end result is the same for both: they fall short of the life our Lord promises his followers.
One of my favorite parables of Jesus is found in Luke 18. I referred to this parable in my post, “An Experiment.” Jesus concludes this story of the widow lady and the unjust judge by asking a haunting question - “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Faith and perseverance go hand in hand. If we believe our perseverance will pay off, we persist in our efforts.
A case in point is the old lady in Jesus’s parable. Her actions are a classic example of Jesus’s use of humor. So dogged is she in her determination to get a fair trial from this unjust judge that he finally gives her what she’s asking for.
“Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think,” he says, I will see that she gets justice so that she won’t eventually come and attack me.” (Luke 18:5)
In The Message, Eugene Peterson translates the judge's words like this - “I’d better do something and see that she gets justice - otherwise I’m going to end up black-and-blue by her pounding.”
The word Jesus uses is actually a boxing term. Literature outside the New Testament uses this same word to describe one fighter knocking out the other.
Think about it. An old lady dropping this guy with an uppercut!
Once again, I refer you to my post, “An Experiment.” In it, I asked you to pray for Embrace Church and specifically for an alcoholic husband of one of our members. I promised to keep you updated on both. So, here’s a brief update, along with a call to persevere with me in your prayers.
The lady with the alcoholic husband - who is Filipino - is recovering from Covid. No news on her spouse.
However, I clearly see God’s hand at work in another recent event. I received a phone call from another Filipino lady in our church. Her friend’s boyfriend was dying of cancer. I agreed to visit with them and had a chance to pray before he passed. I also shared the good news of God’s Kingdom with this lady’s son, who is paralyzed due to a tumor on his spine.
While I was there, several friends dropped by to express their condolences. I spoke with each one and had an opportunity to pray. I was received warmly and thought about the words of Jesus, “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them.” (Luke 10:5)
The peace of Christ came to that house that day. It rested upon each and every one of those gathered there. Their warm reception of me was nothing less than the reception of the one I serve. I look forward to what He will do in their lives in the days ahead.
Meanwhile, keep praying with me! I love the obscurity and challenges of this little church in North Carolina. And I love the people I am building relationships with.
Loving God, loving others. That’s our calling.
In Christ,
Dan
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You can listen to my weekly messages at Embrace Church, High Point. This past Sunday one of my former students serving in Japan brought a message on hearing God. Be sure and check it out!