Perseverance - Calling No. 5

A Soulful Calling, A special edition of the Art + Soul Newsletter

A Soulful Calling No. 5

Definition of Perseverance

: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition

: the action or condition or an instance of persevering

: STEADFASTNESS

WEEK 1: INSPIRATION

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

• This week take time to read and meditate on God’s Word.

• Study what this passage is saying.

• Dig a little deeper by doing a SOAP.

• Consider trying to memorize it. Write it on an index card or post-it note and place it somewhere you will frequently see it.

WEEK 2: REFLECTION

Read Hebrews 3:1-6. God is the Creator of everything in the world and in our lives. Everything that happens is sifted through His hands and He allows to to be a part of His Creation by serving Him. When we serve in the Church out of love for God and others, not out of guilt or fear, His plan is coming to life. One of the greatest characteristics of serving Him is the ability to persevere through every struggle we face.

Jesus uses our struggles as a way to develop and deepen our relationship with Him (1 Peter 1:6-9). Just as storms point out the weak and strong parts of our house, struggles point out the weak and strong parts of our faith. Jesus built a strong house with us as the members, and we can remain faithful to serving Him because he remains faithful to helping us.

True commitment to Jesus is demonstrated through persevering over the long term, not just the short term. In Hebrews 3:6, we see that maintaining our hope in Jesus and holding firm to the confidence that He will do what He says He is going to do is crucial. No matter the case, every situation has an opportunity for perseverance that builds trust to keep going and hold firmly.

God has given us the ability to persevere by responding to struggles with confidence that He knows, plans and directs our lives for the good. We may face struggles while serving Him, but when we trust Him through them, we can claim victory through perseverance.

• Are you praying for victory over or rescue from your struggles?

• What is one thing you are not fully trusting God with?

• What is one way you can begin to better serve others?

WEEK 3: CONNECTION

When we consider the lofty goal of long-term perseverance, how can we ready ourselves for it? Consider the following things and how you might apply them to your current circumstances.

• Expect Hardship in Life (John 16:33).

• Understand God’s Purposes in Hardship (Romans 5:3, Hebrews 12:7-11).

• Consider the Perseverance of Others and Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2).

• Consider the Honour of Endurance (Colossians 1:24, Acts 5:41).

• Fix Your Eyes on Eternal Rewards (2 Corinthians 4:17).

• Lean on the Local Church (Hebrews 10:24, 2 Timothy 2:3).