Perseverance

create-a-world-where-peace-is-built-with-justice-and-where-justice-is-guided-by-loveLiving in the Spirit
June 20, 2016

Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.’ But Elisha said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they went down to Bethel. –2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

You will need to read all of 2 Kings 2 to feel the fullness of Elisha’s perseverance as this scene is played over and over again. The book of Hebrews also talks about perseverance: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1)

How do we love with perseverance? How do we cling to our calling to love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves in a world filled with fear and hate? How do we love away hate and fear without alienating the ones we are trying to love? How do we let love cleanse our souls to the extent that there are no enemies just more people for us to love? And how can we chase after our call to love with the same perseverance that Elisha pursued his mentor for the last gift of grace he felt he needed to enable his ministry?

I wonder how the disciples felt as Jesus left them with a call and the gift of grace. We still stand today with the same call and the same gift of grace. Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Love is stronger than hate and fear. God is working God’s purpose out and we are a vital part of God’s work. We are not working alone.

Prayer: Lord, help us to feel your presence in the work we do in your name. Guide us and teach us your will and your way. Amen.

Illustration above from http://www.imagesbuddy.com/images/206/let-us-create-a-world-where-peace-is-built-with-justice-and-where-justice-is-guided-by-love.jpg

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.