Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Perseverance

Perseverance
As I read an article from Parents Magazine, I was encouraged to see that even the world views perseverance as an important trait!
And a growing body of research suggests that perseverance, the ability to stick with tough tasks, may even trump innate ability in predicting how successful kids will be in life.  In a series of landmark studies involving elite performers across diverse fields such as music, sports, and medicine, K. Anders Ericsson, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Florida State University, in Tallahassee, found that individual achievement was more closely linked to drive, discipline, and dedication than to talent.*
So many of us wait for the "talents" to do the hard thing, when even the world tells us that "talent" is not the main key to success and fulfillment.  Jesus shared a story about "talents" that even shows that it is not the size of the talent that matters, it is the dedication to the talent. (Matthew 25:14-30)  And, Paul shares in Romans 5 that dedication or endurance brings about character that pleases God.
I am very stirred by the lack of perseverance in my own life as well as in the lives of those of around me.  What would we see accomplished?  What visions would come to life?  What great victories both spiritual and physical would we experience?  If only, we would persevere.
It is my desire to not give up, but to persevere, endure, have longsuffering to see the harvest that God has purposed in my life and in the lives of others!
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.**
*"Raise a Kid Who Won't Give Up," Parents Magazine, April 2012, page 97
**Galatians 6:9, ESV

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