Persevere To Win -- A Lesson in Perseverance

Monday, October 11, 2010
Read James 1:22-25
By Jason Wade

My son Justin used to love The Veggie Tales video series when he was younger. One day, he was watching an episode titled “Sumo of the Opera: A Lesson in Perseverance”. He was two at the time. Later that week, he became frustrated with something he was doing and said he was going to quit. I borrowed a line from the Veggies and said: “Perseverance, Justin, perseverance!” Justin didn’t care for that too much but he stuck it out and finished the task and he was happy that he did.

Fast forward one year. I was working hard trying to put together a tricycle for Justin. I could not get the front wheel on straight. I kept working at it while Justin was playing with his toys. It would not stay straight no matter what I did. I remember getting angry and yelling “I give up!” as I threw my wrench across the yard. Then I felt little eyes on me. Justin had stopped playing and was staring at me. He said: “Perseverance, Daddy, perseverance!” Well, the Holy Spirit convicted me and I retrieved my wrench and kept working on that tricycle wheel until it was “almost” straight. To this day, when I feel like giving up, I remember those words and it helps me hang in there and finish.

Applying the Truth as an Individual
When frustration comes and you want to quit, what helps you hang in there and finish?
Paul wrote about finishing the race. What are you doing to make sure you finish strong?

Applying the Truth as a Church
Read Matthew 16:18. How does Pleasant Valley handle attacks from Satan?
How can Pleasant Valley hang in there and finish strong?