Persisting: to
continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the
like, especially in spite of opposition (dictionary.com)
In Luke 11, Jesus tells the story of a man who didn’t
give up, even though the door was shut and locked to him. In verse 8, He says, “But I tell you this…if
you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need
because of your shameless persistence.”
I love how our kids teach us things we might not have
otherwise learned. Our little Elizabeth,
though not born yet, is teaching me about persistence. A lot of people (and studies) have their
opinions about the make-up of the second child, but the one feature that
Elizabeth has taught me is that I need to persist—push ahead—in great joy and
with determination, regardless of the opposition standing in the way. I must admit, far too often and far too easily, I give up and give in to “whatever,” because
I’m just too tired to keep fighting. But
what a more perfect teacher than my daughter, who is determined to get my
attention, as well as the attention of others, through her actions. My prayer
for her is that her determination and persistence will not only continue after
she’s born, but will be used for God’s purposes and His glory.
So let me ask you, what are you in need of? On whose door do you need to keep knocking,
even though the way has been shut and locked to you? Jesus says, “And so I tell you, keep on
asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will
find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who
asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door
will be opened,” (Luke 11:9-10).
Father God, thank you that You have brought forth
children to show us the way. When we
would quit or would settle for less, the persistent say, “Not me! I don’t care what I have to push through; I
won’t stop till I have God’s very best.”
Father, I pray that we would stand among the persistent and refuse to
give up, regardless of the opposition facing us. It’s in Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.
©Heather Potts 2014
