"Patient Perseverance"
University of Denver Campus—Denver, CO
WHERE: University of DU Campus. Right behind the Mary Reed Hall.
WHEN: Anytime, but I prayed over this spot at 2:17pm
BLESSED SPOT: Go sit or stand by the red adirondack chair right behind Mary Reed Hall. Keep 6 feet of love between you and others.
Find the red chair
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness”
—Lamentations 3:22-23
“Patient Perseverance”
I love the campus at DU, it is beautifully designed, consistent in architecture, expansive with views, and calming to me. I often walk Hazel here and find it totally relaxing and refreshing. As I sat in the red adirondack chair and began to pray over this space I was reminded of a challenge I had given myself years ago—a kind of posture to maintain. To have “patient perseverance.” Someone described it as waiting with a positive spirit, but fiercely never giving up. Patience should be anticipative but not complainy, steadfast but not stubborn, eager but not antsy, it is hopeful but not doom-and-gloomy. Bob Goff (who I have mentioned I love) stated that “when a door closes, don’t walk away—beat it down!” Perseverance is active, it is enduring, it is climbing over the mountain step-by-step. Patience is our attitude toward our situation and perseverance is what keeps us taking the next step. I often try to gut stuff out, grin-and-bear it on my own. I don’t take advantage of the power God offers me. In an article DesiringGod.org summed it up wonderfully “Anxiety comes when we look at our circumstances and then look at our ability, but faith comes when we look at our circumstances and then at God’s ability.”
“Anxiety comes when we look at our circumstances and then look at our ability, but faith comes when we look at our circumstances and then at God’s ability.” —DesiringGod.org
As we are waiting out this damn Covid-19 we can do it actively and positively. It is really all we have. To make good decisions about our actions, to charge into the day with a spirit of hope, and pause often to ask God to remind us that he in charge and he is fully able.
Renewed Mercies
I love that the bible is a living and breathing thing. And, that it can be new everyday. I believe the bible was written to me and in my specific language. God knows exactly how to talk to me and in my own vernacular. When I read a verse it strikes me differently than it might someone else—and that brings such richness to the meaning. I was reminded of the verse that God’s mercies are new every morning. This time it had a different impact on me. Mornings can be depressing—especially these days. We are faced with all the burdens of the day, the unknowns, the fear of a fever starting—and C19 kicking in, the fear of aging parents getting sick, or having to use that coffee filter in lieu of toilet paper ;). It can be an awful way to start the day. But, God promised that he would provide just enough mercy (love) to cover the day and that it would renew like magic every morning. I like this definition of Mercy “ Mercy is the love that responds to human need in an unexpected or unmerited way.” I dig that there is a potential surprise waiting for us. I love surprises.
As I have sat here on this chair I have been praying that you are recharged—at least enough for today. I am praying that every morning you are reminded that a whole new storehouse of mercy has been unleashed on you. I am praying that His mercy shows up in unexpected, surprising, and even fun ways. I am praying that you find the positivity that fuels your perseverance. I am praying you realize that God is able.
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” —Phil 4:6-7
This spot on the red adirondack chair has been prayed for:
God to blow your mind with how He is moving in your life and the world
You would feel his love and mercy in a surprising way
You would pour your fears out before him and leave them behind
You would feel positive despite the crappy way C19 is making us feel
You would take just one positive step forward today
Things you can do:
Post a comment, a thought, a prayer, or a request
Write your prayer petitions out on a piece of paper
Read a verse in 10 different translations to see how God might speak to you
Remember God is bigger than C-19 and this too will pass!
