Persistence and perseverance are undervalued character traits. It is hard to find anything more beneficial than long obedience in the same direction. Eugene Peterson wrote a book entitled, Perseverance: A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. Not long before he died, Peterson shared a life lesson he learned from watching a kingfisher, a bird famous for its fishing finesse. He was sitting on the deck of his Montana lake house one day, watching a kingfisher try to catch its prey. He counted the number of attempts. “It took thirty-seven tries to catch a fish,” said Peterson, “and he’s the kingfisher!” Here is the question for us: “How many times have you tried to reach your dreams?”
Our dear brother was reminding his readers that we give up too quickly, too easily! That’s the lesson eighty-five years of living had taught him. It is a lesson better learned sooner than later. There is a kind of power that is often overlooked and underappreciated-staying power! Especially in our quick-fix culture! Staying power is refusing to quit, no matter what comes our way. It will not be denied.
The timing of God is hard to discern at times and it’s even harder to trust His timing in our hard places. Just remember, God is a counting God. He counts your tears, your heartaches as well as your victories. He counts every step of faith. If He can count the hairs on your head, and the birds in your backyard there is nothing He can’t count. He keeps track of everyone of your kind deeds and one day you will be rewarded. Do not grow weary in well doing!
Think about this, if the kingfisher had given up after the thirty-sixth attempt, he would have gone to his nest hungry that day. Like the kingfisher, we need not be embarrassed by the number of tries it takes to reach our dreams! If anything, we ought to be proud of the fact that we didn’t give up!
God hasn’t given up on you.
Don’t give up on God.
Comments