Perseverance

per·se·ver·ance
–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.

This particular word has come up a lot lately with Matt and me, in addition to its word-cousin, arduous. Have you ever known that you were in the middle of a long journey and had a moment where the only thing you wanted was to be home, safe and cozy on your own couch or in your own bed, and then looked at the map and remembered that you were hundreds of miles away from your destination? Ugh.

Yeah, that's kind of how we've felt lately. Like we're in the middle of an arduous journey with "miles to go before we sleep" ... to steal from my good buddy Robert Frost. I think we've just felt very grown up all of a sudden, which sounds odd at 39 and 36 - five years into a mortgage with two kids way out of diapers - but it's true.

Do you remember the scene in the movie "Parenthood" where Steve Martin's character is having an intense conversation with his wife and he utters the line "my whole life is have to!" We were watching that movie a few months ago and related in a whole new way to that discussion. Much of life right now is "have to" and duty and responsibility and just getting through.

But Matt and I are both completely committed to the life we've chosen and the last year has strengthened our relationship in amazing new ways. The journey is hard, but we will continue to take it step by step, mile by mile ... looking for joy along the way ... knowing that all of a sudden one day things won't seem quite so hard, and we'll realize that we've finally arrived at our destination. And then we'll start a new journey.

The best thing about all of this is the opportunity to see God at work in unexpected ways, knowing that he is using all of it for good ... stretching us beyond our comfort zone so that we can become the people he has created us to be.

Here are a couple of translations of the verses I was reading tonight that inspired all of this. I'm including the different versions because I think all three of them are wonderful:

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, NIV)

Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. (James 1:2-4, NLT)

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. (James 1:2-4, The Message)

I pray that we will view our difficulties as opportunities for joy, that we will develop perseverance, and that we won't try to get out of it before God has done his work in us. And I pray the same for you on your own journey.