Persistence

“Persistence”
Indy 500 winner, Rick Mears said, “In order to finish first, you must first finish.” It has been said that “the road to success is dotted with many parking places.” Hebrews 10;36 teaches, “ For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God you may receive what was promised.”  Persistence can be defined , to press strongly toward something- to not give up or quit.” How do we persevere? What do we need?
        1. Purpose (see a previous article in this series)- You must see you task as not something that needs to be done, but something that must be done.
       2. Passion (Previous article)- Setting the purpose as a priority in your life.
       3. Purity – Sin will drain the drive and passion from you. Sin will cause you to steer off course; or may lead to an addiction; or even a disqualification from leadership.
       4. Problem Solving--There will always be problems. We need the maturity to see our problems as opportunities. Its through problems that we grow and doors are opened for success.
       5. Price—Be willing to do what God wants of you no matter the price. Rudyard Kippling said, “If you don’t get what you want, it’s a sign either that you did not seriously want it, or that you tried to bargain over the price.”
       6. Patience—In Scripture, Caleb waited 45 years for the promise; Moses 40 years in the wilderness; Jesus 30 years before beginning His ministry. As we wait, God continues to work. He brings all the thingd together so that it will work for our good. T the same time He does a great work in us as we learn to trust Him. “Sometimes we do not get what we are looking for not because of a lack of faith, but a lack of patience.”