Fridays are for ‘Reclaiming Words!’
The intent of this series is to explore words that I think need to be introduced — or re-introduced — to this current generation of college students.
These words have lost their meaning… or have been mis-used or redefined in unhelpful ways… and therefore need to be reclaimed and redefined (again) so that they can be realized by our students!
Today’s word: PERSEVERE.
It’s a word that means: to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.
To persist…
In anything undertaken (in everything undertaken).
To maintain purpose…
In spite of difficulty… obstacles… or discouragement.
To continue…
Steadfastly.
As we turn the corner that spring break represents, and begin to look towards the end of the academic year… our students need to be encouraged to persevere.
This is the time of year when many students begin to give up.
On their homework.
On their leadership roles.
On the different responsibilities that they’ve willingly taken on…
Because they’re tired.
They’re ready to be done.
And their physical, mental and emotional capacities are waning.
(Oh, and did I mention the spring weather… 🙂
Spring break has given them a taste of the forthcoming summer break that is just off over the horizon… and they can’t wait.
Most things that aren’t considered to be an absolute necessity for “finishing the year” and/or getting outside to enjoy the spring weather — start to fall by the wayside.
But our students need to be challenged to persevere.
To hold on.
To lean more fully into God.
Various forms of the word persevere are collectively found only 21 times in the NIV translation of the bible — appearing exclusively in the New Testament.
Hear the call put forth — first by Jesus — and then by the first leaders of the Church:
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:15
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5;3-4
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I Corinthians 13:7 (speaking of love)
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:36
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us… Hebrews 12:1
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 2 Peter 1:5-7
Perseverance isn’t fun or easy.
It requires determination, trust and faith on the part of the individual.
A personal determination to do what ever is required… to make it through. To do the work that God has set before us.
A trust — that God will do what only God can do — as we do what we are called/given to do.
And faith — that God will work in our perseverance — to do produce… something.
Perseverance is never an end in itself…
But a means to an end.
The catch is that in order to experience the “end” — the “fruit” of our perseverance — we must first choose to persevere.
And it is a choice.
