Word of the Week: Persistence

Three thousand five hundred fifty(3,550) days ago I published my first blog post. Today WordPress says today’s post is #2800.

What began as a short-term idea during a gap between full-time preaching for local churches, has become a long-lasting ministry.

Posts have been written from almost every state and several countries. We’ve written when we felt like it and when we didn’t. When it was easy and when it was difficult. When thoughts were flowing freely and sometimes when the well was running dry.

Persistence has paid off. Not only in the number of posts but in other tangible ways as well.

As a result, these posts have been read in over 200 countries and territories around the world. We have written on a wide range of topics and scriptures that span over 180 different categories. From A to Z. From attitude to zeal. From Genesis to Revelation.

ThePreachersWord has been used for Communion talks, Wednesday night invitations, sermon-starters, Bible class lessons, and church bulletin articles. Our posts have been reprinted in newspapers, reblogged by other bloggers, and translated into other languages.

I’m reminded of an old adage from a Chinese proverb that affirms, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” In the same way, the journey of 2800 blogs begins with the first post.

Author Napoleon Hill was right when he wrote, “Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.”

Persistence is the key in every area of life, including faithful, steady, and continued progress in running the Christian race. The Bible is filled with admonitions exhorting us to keep on keeping on.

As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. (2 Thess; 3:13).

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up (Gal.6:9).

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:14).

In blogging or any other worthy endeavor including our Christian commitment, it’s easy to get sidetracked by distractions, doubts, and discouraging circumstances. But, as an old Arabian proverb reminds, “If you stop every time a dog barks, your road will never end.”

In Choose Your Attitudes, Change Your Life, Robert Jeffress writes, “While we cannot always control life’s obstacles, we can control our response to those obstacles, Persistence is not the ability to overcome obstacles; it is the willingness to continue in spite of obstacles.

Too often we look at success in various areas of life as dependent solely on talent, genius, education, social privileges, or financial resources.

However, University of Alberta Professor Dr. A. B. Meldrum, reminds us that persistence is the key. “Bear in mind, if you are going to amount to anything, that your success does not depend upon the brilliance and the impetuosity with which you take hold, but upon the ever lasting and sanctified bull doggedness with which you hang on after you have taken hold.”

Persistence is not only fueled by internal desire but outward encouragement. Our readers have spurred us onward with many expressions of kind and encouraging words. Likewise, in our Christian walk we need each other. It’s proven both psychologically and scientifically that any task is easier when others are urging you onward.

And so, like Paul, “I press on…” Not just in blogging. But in ministry. And in living the Christian life.

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman