STAYING WITH IT

A recent article spoke about those who made the highest grades in school and enjoyed the highest IQ’s. They were bound for success in life, right? Not necessarily! The article maintained that while these folks are gifted with native intelligence, they are seldom the outstanding achievers in life.

Do you know what is more important than intelligence? Perseverance! At least that was the answer this particular group of researchers found. Success is usually obtained after earnest effort. Life demands persistence! Simply keeping at it is more important than having a high intellect. The average student who hits the job with all he’s got, and stays after it, is usually the one who wins.

While perseverance might appear to be a "ho hum" virtue, Jesus stressed its importance. It’s essential in every area — even prayer. The Master taught that we "ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1). Pray and pray and keep on praying. Don’t grow weary or get discouraged. Don’t give up. To enforce the importance of staying with it, Jesus told two stories.

One had to do with the friend who came at midnight requesting three loaves of bread. Though the man is in bed, and doesn’t want to disturb the household, nevertheless, he responds because of the persistent knocking. The point is, if our friends answer shameless appeals, how much more will God our Father respond to us (Luke 11:5-13).

The second story has to do with a persistent widow who keeps coming before a judge. For a while the judge refuses to listen, but eventually he decides to hear her case because "she will wear me out by her continual coming" (Luke 18:1-8). If a cruel judge will give way to the unrelenting presence of the widow, how much more will God listen to the prayer of saints.

Prayer should be continual and persistent. I must not forget that.

John Gibson