A New Title

Writing an autobiographical paper for a class the other day, I found myself using the word "perseverance" over and over. I wanted to make sure that I was using the word in the right context, so I whipped over to dictionary.com to make sure.

This is what I found:

per⋅se⋅ver⋅ance

  [pur-suh-veer-uhns]

–noun

1.	steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

2.	Theology. continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.

The definition astounded me. I was describing the life that I live, the one where I struggle through stuff to get to something better. How I changed schools mid-year only to be racked with health issues, including a kidney stone. How plenty of obstacles have been thrown in my way, and I have lived to tell the story.

How I attempt to rely on God's grace, day by day, to get me through. How I struggle to serve Him and obey Him with everything I have. How I am not very good at it, but I keep trying.

When I looked up this word, I found myself tearing up. If you know anything about me, you will know that words mean a whole lot to me. The fact that God allowed me to be impacted by this definition is evidence of His grace. And His grace will lead me to the end.

So persevere, my friend. Continue to strive after God because He gives us grace, and that grace will lead us to eternal salvation with Him.

"And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace" (John 1:16).

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

"For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith" (Romans 3:23-25).

I have a new title for my blog. One that is defined as glorifying to my King. I will persevere through what the world flings at me.

Perseverance. A blog about not giving up.