And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
– Galatians 6:9
We have all probably heard at least once in our lives that we need to pray for patience. We even know we should pray for patience. However, sometimes we are just too busy, in a rush or just plain don’t have time. Ironic isn’t it? On the other hand, how often are we encouraged to pray for perseverance? In our prayer time, is perseverance even a thought? And now the big question to ponder, have you ever looked at how patience and perseverance are linked together?
At first glance it seems these two character traits might oppose each other. Patients is waiting for an opportunity to present itself. The textbook definition brings a bit more detail as to what makes having patience so difficult. Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. We live in a very “anti-patience” culture if you think about it. We want what we want and we want it now. When we text someone we expect an immediate response. When we need answers, Google can get us thousands of websites, usually under a second. Food can be warmed up in one to two minutes in our microwaves. Not a lot of patience is required here. So when we are faced with situations that are not so quick and easy, we tend to get irritable, frustrated, angry and yes, impatience.
Perseverance is different. It is actively staying on task. Again, take a look at the textbook definition. Perseverance is a continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition. If you really stop and think about it, patience and perseverance complement each other quite nicely.
Think about it like this. Patience without persistence can lead to apathy. Persistence without patience can cause us to chase our tail. Sometimes we are in a situation where we need to wait, but it is crucial to not lose focus. At other times, we are to be active and yet accommodating to the process.
Each one of these character traits takes effort, focus and intentionality. However, when we prioritize one over the other or disregard either, both become difficult, ineffective and discouraging.
In Galatians 6:9, Paul encourages us to persist in doing good, doing right, engaging in God’s Truth. We are to keep focused on Christ so we will not get discouraged. We do this for the simple yet powerful reason to glorify our Lord. To persist in doing good unfortionatally does not guarantee an immediate result. Rather, we are to be patient. Sometimes our good works take time to grow. We can take confidence that in time, the good works we do for the Lord will reap a harvest that glorifies Christ.
A farmer is a great example of someone who balances patience with perseverance. He works and readies the land and then he plants his seeds. There is a lot of planning and effort that goes into this. There has to be focus and intentionality. And then he must be patient. It takes time for the seed to germinate, to take root and to grow. Then, at just the right time, not too early and not too late, he harvests.
Maybe in addition to praying for both patience and persistence, we should be praying in a manner consistent with patience and persistence. We persistently seek the Lord and pray and then we confidently and patiently wait. Sometimes day after day, even year after year, always understanding that God is never idle or hard of hearing. But maybe, just maybe God is accomplishing something in us and through us while we exercise patience and persistence.
Jason Metz, lead Pastor
