Every now and then I decide that it would be a good thing to work out, ha!
God has given me a healthy body and I want to maintain health so I either go for a run or put on a workout video. One of my favorites is a YouTuber named Sydney Cummings Houdyshell. Her workouts are engaging, challenging and even though I’m dripping in sweat by the end, I always feel good after doing it.
At the end of her videos she does a quick little encouraging talk as you cool down. Most of the time I half listen, but one time she said something that stuck –
“It’s not about perfection, it’s about persistence.”
I needed that reminder as I often have to modify her moves and am not that consistent in working out.
Anyone with me on that?!
While that was a good reminder for me physically, it also was a good reminder for me spiritually.
It’s not about perfection, it’s about persistence.
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We could use a lot of examples from scripture, but let’s take Peter. Peter began following Jesus wholeheartedly, but throughout his time with Jesus, we consistently see shortcomings of Peter.
Peter did not always understand Jesus, so he questioned him (Mt 15:15-16, Mt 16:5-12, Jn 13:5-8, and more). In Mark, Peter rebuked Jesus when Jesus was talking about his death. Jesus then rebukes Peter by saying, “Get behind me, Satan!” And one of the biggest moments is when Peter denies knowing Jesus three times.
BUT, throughout all that, Peter kept his faith in Jesus.
Peter’s walk with Jesus was far from perfect, but he persisted in it.
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What does your walk with Jesus look like? Are you more concerned with perfection and getting all the things right or with persistently following Jesus with your whole heart?
God doesn’t ask for perfect followers of Him, but he does ask for faithful ones. God wants you to persistently follow him, even though sometimes it will look messy.
God also says that throughout our lives, He will persistently work on us! How incredible is that?! The God of the universe has a personal investment in you and your journey with Him.
“The One who began this gracious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!” Philippians 1:6, The Passion Translation.
God will keep doing the work, we just have to faithfully follow Him. “A lifetime of faithful service to God is accomplished one day at a time” (Bible Study Fellowship).
It’s not about perfection, it’s about persistence.
God, help us to be persistent, faithful followers of you, one day at a time.
Good words, Meredith. I always look at Peter when I stumble and realize you just have to get up and walk again-that persistence part. Each time we stumble we learn. Each time we judge ourselves by another “outwardly looking perfect Christian” and we begin to doubt ourselves or our faith we must realize that God is using each of us differently (the body of Christ has many parts), we are not all the same. Thank God for the stumbles and for the persistence HE gives us.
Great encouragement! In fact, through persistence we do learn a more “perfect” way. As a teacher, I know that persistence in my students will often bring the success they seek. It’s more rewarding to mentor a student who is determined to learn, even if not especially gifted in the subject, than a student who is gifted but will not put forth any effort. Through persistence, I have seen many people overcome great obstacles.