It is easy to be highly motivated, super organized, and enthused at the beginning of a semester. It is even easier to celebrate the completion of a grading period or degree program. The trouble often comes in between. It is then that our motivation may wane and life become more difficult than we anticipated. It is in the middle that we must persevere.
Merriam-Webster defines perseverance as, “continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.” Two factors contribute to perseverance. First, one’s ability to bounce back after difficulty or failure which is often referred to as resilience. Second, perseverance includes one’s ability to endure over an extended period. In a world of instants, like fast food, immediate release of movies and music, and access to information and people at any moment, we are not conditioned to persevere for much of anything.
Peter had a unique episode of difficulty in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. At the end of the day, Jesus had directed the disciples to get into a boat and row to the opposite side of the lake. After the boat was a considerable distance from land, likely in the middle, Jesus walked out onto the water to them. It is at that point that Peter also walks on water. Suddenly wonder turns to terror as he notices the waves and wind (Matthew 14: 22-33). How often does that happen to us? We are cruising without difficulty when suddenly doubt comes over us, and we begin to question our ability to persist.
Peter also demonstrated the ability to bounce back after a failure. It is Peter that denied knowing Jesus three times on the night He was betrayed. This even after Jesus warned Peter his denial was coming (Matthew 26: 31-35, 69-75). Others provide warning, or the Scripture provides a guide, but in the moment of our failure we want to hide. Instead of taking needed steps, we avoid them for things that bring us a false sense of comfort. Jesus later finds Peter back in his former, familiar vocation of fishing. Did Peter think he was no longer worthy of continuing given his failure? We see Jesus forgive Peter for each denial and direct him to continue the mission for which he was called (John 21: 1-19). Peter demonstrated resilience in letting go of the failure and moving forward in ministry.
Perhaps, you are facing challenges in the middle of a semester, the middle of a degree, or the middle of a difficult season of your life. The slow, steady walk of persistence may include simple things like showing up for class when you would rather not, asking for help, or opening the Bible instead of scrolling. It must also include meaningful reflection.
Feedback comes in a variety of forms such as exam grades, written comments in a paper, encouragement from peers, teachers, or mentors, or nudging from the Holy Spirit through Scripture. When we receive feedback, we should first recognize that it is meant to help us and not place us on the defensive. We must endeavor to understand the feedback. This means that we may need to ask some clarifying questions or study the feedback in more depth. Next, we examine ourselves in comparison to that feedback. Where does this hit on truth in my life? Did I do enough to properly prepare for an exam or give enough time to a project or paper? Finally, what is my best path going forward? Our action plan may include adjustments of time, effort, priorities, or reflection on calling and purpose.
Just as Peter learned, the answer is to keep our eyes focused on the Lord and not on distractions, fear, and doubt. Growth comes in the middle. We recognize that we do not have to do this alone. We know where our help comes from. Your future calling, whether in healthcare, ministry, business, education, or any field, will be formed by habits of faithfulness in the Lord when you are persisting and learning, and growing in the middle.
