Week Thirty-Five - Persevere

I keenly remember the drudgery of young motherhood. The constant scheduling of feeds and naps, the demands of expectations I put on myself, the constant laundry, housework, and meals. I thought it would never end. I remember being so very tired and even disillusioned as I tried to raise my little brood of five and do ministry. 

Thankfully, my grandmothers and friends would occasionally take the kids and give me a reprieve! But nothing changed the drudgery of keeping up with young children, except when I remembered my love for them and the blessedness of having a family.

Childrearing was only for a season, and I survived! You will, too! But drudgery isn't reserved only for the young mother. Life has a way of settling into ruts, and we get bored, disillusioned, and chained to our schedules until beauty seems to be squeezed out.

James 1:24 is the verse we will consider today in light of this idea of drudgery. It reads, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

Elizabeth Elliot tells of a visit to Dohnavar Fellowship India. "There, day after day, year in and year out, Indian women (most of them single) care for little children, handicapped children, infirm adults, old folks. They don't go anywhere. They have none of our usual forms of amusement and diversion. They work with extremely primitive equipment - there is no running water, for example, no stoves but wood-burning ones, and no washing machines. In one of the buildings, I saw this text: 'There they dwelt with the King for His work.' That's the secret. They do it for Him. They ask for and receive His grace to do it. I saw the joy in their lovely faces."

Why do we do what we do? If we do it for ourselves, it will become drudgery. If we do it only for the benefit of others, we will burn out with the sacrifice. But if we do it for Christ, we serve a higher purpose and have a richer resource.

In James, the phrase, "Let patience have her perfect work," points us to that purpose and source. There is an outcome, reward, measure of growth, and blessing to all we experience. 

So, how can I help myself rise above the drudgery of today and see the better purpose and source of life?

Let's look a bit more at James 1:24: "Count it all joy." Count your blessings. Look for the good things in your situation—even the tiny ones. You can live a long time on tiny blessings! They add up, and eventually, your perseverance and faith will reward you with greater patience and maturity.

"Let patience have her perfect work." You aren't going through what you're going through for nothing. Those little ones will grow up, and if you have done your part, they will be happy and productive, bringing you great joy and pride. You aren't working your job or doing your ministry for nothing. God will give the increase in every area of life when we persevere. Someone else said, "The glory of tomorrow is rooted in the drudgery of today."  So don't give up yet!

"Perfect and entire, wanting nothing." I love that phrase. You can't be mature, whole, and fulfilled at the beginning of any project. Those things are reserved for the ending. So, remaining steadfast and perseverant is the only way to reach this position. It's a great place to be when you can look back and see all God accomplished through your consistency and what you considered years of drudgery.

This is how we stay motivated - looking for the benefit ahead. I call it futurizing!

We do it for the King! We do it patiently and persistently, with the purpose of His glory, until we become "perfect, entire, wanting nothing" - or not lacking - in any grace!