The Peace of God as Perseverance

We all face situations that require perseverance, the West Coast Trail required mine. Hiking muddy, root, and rock-filled trails in the rain while carrying 40lbs on my back for 8 hours a day left me, by mid-afternoon on day two, ready to quit. I thought to myself, “I can’t do this, I don’t want to do this!!” But when my friend Steve, the guy who roped us into the mess, reminded me of the incredible adventure we were on, something changed. The challenge was still there, but remembering why we were there gave me a bigger perspective. We still had 65kms to go over ladders and through sand and mud, but realizing the challenge made it more bearable. Letting go of my own desires in the moment helped me engage more meaningfully as part of the team.

Part three of “The Peace of God” is perseverance. Something Paul urges his friends to do, while he is locked in a Roman prison awaiting judgement on his life. “Persevere” he says to his friends, “for to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”