School is back in session! Most of our students, teachers, administration and staff started classes last Monday, and that means only 175 more days until summer vacation. Some of you are wondering, “How am I ever going to make to the end?” At times it can be overwhelming, think about it…papers to write, papers to grade, parent meetings, quizzes, tests, field trips, game days, snow days, exit exams, flu season, cold season, Christmas break fever, early mornings, late nights, anxiety attacks, band practice, spirit week, prom, career fair, class pets, science fair, driver’s ed, and the list goes on and on and on and…

How do we get to the end? We get to the end one day at a time. Perseverance is king when we look at a school year that begins in mid-August and lasts until the end of May. Quitting is not an option for our kids. We pray them through the tough times, we rejoice with them through the good times, and we walk them through each day giving them the assurance that we’ll always be there for them.

But the great truth of perseverance is not just for our kids, it’s for all of us; we all need it in every area of life. Perseverance isn’t just good for school days, it’s good for friendship, it’s good for worship, it’s good for exercising, it’s good for marriage, it’s good for careers, it’s good for parenting, it’s good for paying our bills, it’s good for taking care of aging relatives, it’s good for praying, and it’s good for walking with Christ.

The Bible has a lot to say on the topic of perseverance.

“…Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1b-3)

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

“…The one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22b)

Imagine where we would be if Jesus quit. In what is God prompting us to persevere?

Grace & Peace,