Perseverance

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. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV)

The Holy Spirit is not given to us as a lawn ornament or a Christmas tree decoration. The Holy Spirit of God is given to us because we need God's wisdom, God's direction, and God's power to fulfill our part of God's plan. This begins by walking together with God. Even that cannot happen without the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5 NIV)

Perseverance by itself is a virtue of sorts. But we can persevere at many bad and sinful things. I can persevere in my greed. I can persevere in my lust. I can persevere in my anger. None of these things help me, the people around me, or my relationship with God. I only grow in my walk together with God when I persevere in doing good, loving God, loving people, and trusting God in everything. Perseverance in this way helps me to become more and more like Christ, who is my example.

So, how about you? Do you persevere? When you persevere, is it fighting against God or is it to walk together with God? What drives you to persevere?