(James 1: 2 - 4)

Winston Churchill seemed so dull as a youth that his father thought he might be incapable of earning a living in England.

Charles Darwin did so poorly in school that his father once told him, "You will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family.

Thomas Edison's first teacher described him as "addled," and his father almost convinced him he was a "dunce."

Albert Einstein's parents feared their child was dull, and he performed so badly in all high school courses except mathematics that a teacher asked him to drop out.

                 - Irving Wallace, Book of Lists, 1986, Wm. Morrow & Co., Ny, Ny.

The common factor among these people - PERSERVERANCE.

I am sure we have all heard or read about the above people - and they are not ordinary people - they are ones who were once considered 'doomed', but persevered to make a difference in the world today.

So, is perserverance important?

No doubt IT IS!!

Perseverance as defined by Dictionary.com, is a steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state etc. esp in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

In verse 4 it says that “perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” This is so true, when I reflect on times I did a boo-boo in my first PnW, the first discussion I led when everyone was staring wide-eyed at me, the first step I took to be a mentor to someone only to not be able to answer the questions posed to me etc, I thank God that I have persevered and not give up despite the many ‘first times’ I had.

Certainly, God has matured (and still is maturing) me to be who He has purposed me to be. As Jer 29: 11 says: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”, I pray that all of us will continue to persevere in whatever comes our way because “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”.

LOVE,

Wen