PERSISTENCE

The previous theme for our gathering prayer was about “CHANGE”. What impressed me a lot about this topic is that people could shared honestly what they really feel and experience the rapid changes in their lives. We are experiencing an epic shift in the way we think and feel about ourselves and our jobs, about the way we live, and about the future itself. And yet changes even if predictable, is almost always perceived as threatening. Even small changes are sources of tension. In daily live there are times when everything goes against us, suffering or misunderstanding touches our lives, our plans fail and what we do for other’s is not appreciated. In that way we can say that most change, however doesn’t come in such neatly defined segments; it seems constant and unrelenting. That makes it bigger threat because there is no relief, no easy measure of success, no sense of closure – ever. Change in such an environment requires courage, character, a broader perspective, and above all persistence.
To understand this, let me tell you two real short story. First, from the life of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is wrong to think that our Christian lives will be smooth that if we keep the commandments and say our prayers all will be sweet and light, comfort and consolation. Christ never promised this. He told us that our way would be straight, steep and narrow and that in the world we would have distress. But He also told us that he would support and sustain us. “FEAR NOT’ he said, “ I have overcome the world,” and this empowers us to challenge ourselves to be with the Lord and his people. If we only preserve with what is ‘popular’ we will do little worthwhile for Christ or his kingdom or indeed for any other cause. Christ wants follower who can share in his passion. There is no easy or short cut and it’s vain to look for them. The celebration of resurrection which is the hope, strength and joy Christian, revives our hearts and souls. In resurrection we glimpse our own final ultimate triumph as he has overcome the world by his power. We shall do the same by loving and trusting him. I think it is easy to suffer, endure with courage, and struggle with cheerfulness and joy, when we know that we are in battle of victory.
Second story is about Liu Shikun who placed second to Van Cliburn in the 1958 Tchaikovsky Competition, was imprisoned in 1967 in China. During the entire six years he was held, he was denied the used of a piano. Soon after his release he was back on tour, and critics wrote in astonishment that his musicianship was better than ever. “How did you do this?” one asked. “You had no chance to practice for six years.” Liu replied, “I did practice, every day. I rehearsed every piece I had ever played, note by note, in my mind.”
So what can we learned from these stories is that we need to be persistent with our work no matter how little works that it may be, but it effect to our lives. Because persistence as Calvin Coolidge said that nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men of talent. Genius will not…the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.. the slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of human race.