Journeyman Journal: Persevere in the Journey

It doesn’t look as though things are working out as you hoped.

You’re given the task to do and you apply yourself to it as much as you could. You resolved to depend on God totally to carry out the task. You did not get the support and you did not get the understanding. From where you viewed it, the progress seemed illusory.

Maybe it wasn’t worthwhile.

It’s at that juncture that you’re reminded of the stream that you’re a part of. This is a stream with people dedicated to a message of a rule that would change the lives of many – but not necessarily always change them for the better. It was a rule that would set some in opposition to it. Opposition aggressively and opposition through neglect and apathy. For every episode and act of wonder and success, there would be the active measures put in place by those who resisted to minimise, contain, stifle or outright obliterate such a rule.

This is among the reasons why so much is written about being stedfast and enduring. There was never a guarantee of being welcomed and embraced with the message. There was never a narrative outlined that gave the impression that the delivery and expresion of this message of the glorious rule of Christ resulted in communities turning to Him and things turning out in splendour and contentment. There was an insight that following this rule would bring about resistance and persecution from without and corruption and compromise from within.

It is worthwhile not because it’s all going to be going your way. It is worthwhile because of the faithful covenant relationship. This was established by God who in His Son has shown the way and by His Spirit makes the journey possible and glorious in the light of the light of who God is. Knowing Him more along the journey and enduring in obedience whatever the circumstance is the key to what makes the matter worthwhile.

That word of hope and reassurance is so crucial to defeat doubt and disillusionment. That constant presence of the Lord in the journey is so valued when it comes to persevering.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden