Thrilling Perseverance
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4 (NIV).
My maternal grandfather was an expert fly-fisherman. He even tied his own flies and taught me how to do it. However, I never got the hang of fly-casting. I tried and tried but could not seem to master that wrist snap, but my cousin, Curtis, carries on his amazing legacy. Maybe I just didn’t try hard enough or practice long enough. Curtis gets the thrill of Montana’s beauty as he casts his flies out into the rivers. Jeanne Blackmer (Mornings with Jesus) has a persistent message for us.
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I went on a girl’s fly-fishing excursion to become better at the sport my husband, Zane, enjoys so much. The lodge in Montana is situated on a famous fly-fishing river. A guide took me in a river boat and gave me a lesson, teaching me how to cast, where the fish were, what flies they were attracted to, and more. He also taught me about perseverance.
After a few hours of not catching anything, I was cold and ready to stop for the day, but he refused. He believed I would catch a fish, and he wouldn’t stop rowing the boat until I landed one. Inspired, I kept trying. After nearly eight hours of fishing, I finally caught a twenty-eight-inch-long brown trout. I better understood my husband’s passion for fly-fishing because after persevering, finally catching a giant fish was a thrill. Isn’t that similar to what walking through this life with Jesus is about too?
When I face trials of different kinds, I put my hope in Jesus. He gives me strength and encouragement to endure, grow in character, and ultimately find hope. I want to continue to learn more about fly-fishing and enjoy it with Zane. I also want to continue to persevere even in difficult times, knowing Jesus is cheering me on. What a thrill it is to live with that kind of hope.
FAITH STEP: Write your own definition of what it means to persevere with Jesus. How can you put that into practice today.
Loving Lord, thank You for giving us hope when we aren’t feeling confident. You are strong when we feel weak and we are grateful. In You, help us to find ways to keep moving forward. AMEN.