Direction magazine

Volume 53, Issue 2, July 2019

letter from the president

Perseverance is the continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition. (Merriam-Webster online) The production of perseverance typically involves some pain. It is one of the great paradoxes of life in a fallen world. We don’t like it very much, but our God is committed to our growth. The One who rescued us from sin is at work in refining our faith. He is getting us ready for heaven and invites us to respond with joy when our lives are jarred by trial. It’s counter-intuitive. It’s difficult. But it’s possible when we take our eyes off the difficulty and anticipate the end result! The prize is worth the process!

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4 NIV84)