Perseverance

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” -Romans 5:3-5

The time of year has come, where grit and tenacity that students once held begins to wane. The promise of summer break and a brief spring break pit stop seams too far in the distance to matter. We feel it too. Gyms begin to empty and Atkins diets are abandoned. The promises we made to the new year seem more like wishful thinking.

Perseverance seems like something we could all use an extra dose of right now. As our jobs are bearing down and our schedules are ramping up, I wanted to encourage each of us to stick with it, to run the race, to finish strong. Perseverance is the initial step of the equation and the product: hope. It is worth the struggle. However, I feel like when Paul is writing these words of instruction and encouragement he had a different audience in mind. Paul is reaching out to the broken hearted and suffering. He is speaking to those who are dealing with serious persecution, hurt, and loss.

These past couple of weeks have felt extra heavy in my community and I know many who are currently going through a tough season of life. So, if that describes where you are today, hear this: God is at work. He is pouring his love out into your heart so that you can stand firm and persevere. And this perseverance will eventually lead to hope; a hope not rooted in wishful thinking, but in the knowledge that we are tied to the Victor over all sin and death. A hope that we too are heirs to this victory. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, for I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33)

David Bond

Athletic Director and High School Bible Teacher