Perseverance of Paul

 

While a student at Liberty University, I always remembered the words of Dr. Jerry Falwell who told us “You do not determine a man’s greatness by his talents or wealth, as the world does, but rather by what it takes to discourage him.”
 
It is safe to say, when the heat is turned up or when obstacles and challenges mount, we feel like it is so much easier to just throw up our hands, quit, and sometimes, just give up completely. It’s not easy to get the wind knocked out of you and face having to start all over again.
 
The same can be said for the Church. When life is challenged, forces bear down on us, and commitments get out of hand, it always seems that the Church and ministry-related events are the first things we get rid of in order to gain more room in our schedule. Let’s be honest that we struggle with making God, our faith, and ministry a priority.
 
I believe when the first response is to skip Church, not attend Church events, or to simply quit, give up and go home, we can learn from Paul when he faced such challenges to “stop trying so hard.” He had plenty of reasons to just throw in the towel and say “this just isn’t worth it!”
 
We find a near-death encounter of Paul in Acts 14. After being beaten unconscious, dragged out of the town of Lystra, and left for dead, Paul regained consciousness and went back into Lystra (Acts 14:19-20). He did what? Yes, he assessed his situation, yet chose to persevere! He didn’t give up, but continued on with his mission to minister to the people who just tried to kill him.
 
Personally, I think I would be inclined to go to the hospital and then find a reputable lawyer to sue for damages! I might even “take a few months off” to recuperate to give myself adequate time to “recover.” No. Not really….that misses the point of what Paul faced. Paul was fearless, unstoppable, and persevering. God, his calling, living and teaching the Gospel meant that much to him.
 
After leaving Lystra, he soon returned to reassure the disciples and encourage “them to persevere in the faith” (Acts 14:22). Paul had earned a lot of credibility when he talked about perseverance. He had cuts, wounds, and bruises, which were the price he paid for holding firm with perseverance. His compassion for the lost was deep and held as a high priority in his life.
 
Paul proclaimed: “I put no value on my life if only I can finish my race and complete the service to which I have been assigned by the Lord Jesus” (Acts 20:24). From prison, Paul wrote: “My entire attention is on the finish line as I run toward the prize to which God calls me — life on high in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). When he spoke of his imminent death, Paul asserted: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
 
Where are you in your faith journey today? We pray you are fully supporting your Church or Parish with passion, heart, and with “sweat equity” such as service, prayer, time and finances.
 
We pray that you are being intentional with staying in tune with what is going on by reading newsletters, bulletins, websites, and social media platforms that provide access and information on the many opportunities you have to fellowship, serve, and be a part of the Church family and Church’s ministry.
 
Many Churches struggle heavily with the burden from many members who just come on Sunday and that is about it. Many who are already serving are slowly burning out due to being overwhelmed with no support.
 
Do you realize that some church classes have to disbanded or consolidated with others due to lack of attendance? Sometimes, the reason events are canceled is because nobody will sign up to go! Sadly, documentation, statistics, and figures show us this is true and that these are just a few of the many struggles within a lot of churches to “persevere like Paul” to keep moving forward.
 
Do you realize that most Churches have seen a 20-30% decrease in attendance and finances over the last two years? We can blame the pandemic, COVID, and all the various restrictions we navigated to be our excuse, but the reality is that we are talking about active members who have literally “vanished” from the Church and haven’t been seen since. They left and just aren’t coming back…at all.
 
It’s time to reconsider what we faced in comparison to what Paul faced. Actually, there is no comparison as Paul blows us out of the water in terms of being totally sold-out to the Gospel and sharing the Good News despite threats, obstacles, and personal injury. Paul persevered because Jesus persevered. Paul loved Jesus with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).
 
Paul was passionate about living and loving like Jesus. Paul lived with zeal to pattern his life after Jesus. After all, Jesus was the “Chief of Perseverance” as He “set His face” toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51) and toward Calvary to face crucifixion. Jesus promised: “Whoever holds out till the end will escape death,” that is, the second death of eternal separation from God in Hell” (Matthew 10:22).
 
Let us evaluate the depth of our faith and where we stand right now and choose Jesus! Make the necessary shift in priorities, commitments and loves so that we are not guilty of idolatry (Exodus 20:3-5). Let’s align ourselves to the Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22). Let us persevere like Paul and make, once again, the Kingdom of God, the Gospel and reaching the lost our highest priority.
 
Could you join me in praying the Prayer of St. John Vianney:
 
I love you, O my God, and my only desire is to love you until the last breath of my life. I love you, O my infinitely lovable God, and I would rather die loving you, than live without loving you. I love you, Lord, and the only grace I ask is to love you eternally. My God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love you, I want my heart to repeat it to you as often as I draw breath. Amen.