perseverance

Way back in March, I, and many others warned that we were in a marathon, not a sprint. In any long-distance run or cycle or swim (I only do the first two, my swimming tends to be vertical!) there is a point where you hit the wall.

The initial enthusiasm of facing this pandemic has long gone BUT the end seems a long way off. Mentally and physically you weaken. We need a second wind.

I sense that many have hit the COVID-19 wall this week. There seems to be more anxiety, a greater sense of loneliness, frustration and stir craziness this week than we have seen up until now.
This is understandable. Weeks of new rhythms of living, learning new social media skills, the intensity of families cooped up trying to work and home school, and others on their own. All of this is hard work. It stretches our mental energy. When we feel a little weaker mentally, emotionally, physically, maybe even spiritually then we will feel a little more on edge of ourselves.

So, as pastor, I would ask that you be gentle on yourself and gentle with those you live with or with those you engage with through work, when you have to go out to a store, or on social media. Be patient with others… and yourself.

When you hit the wall in a marathon, there are choices. You can just stop and go for ice cream. All that training and the first 20 miles of your hard work? Just throw it away. Lose the purpose of it all. The medal or the t-shirt!

Or, you can dig in.

In running or cycling long distances, it is all about holding to your rhythm, not shifting too much in what you have been focused on doing.

Let us not lose our nerve now. These are life and death days. Our lives, the lives of our neighbours and the health of those doctors, nurses and cleaners in our hospitals and long term care homes are all dependent on us finding some perseverance.

Hebrews 12:1-3 says

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

There is spiritual perseverance to this for sure. Remember to pray for others.

Jesus gives us an example from his life. He hit walls too. Praying in Gethsemane that God would give him a way out of the cross is an example. Jesus got up from that pleading prayer with that second wind and went to the cross, then through the victory tape of resurrection.

Jesus life is an endurance to replicate as we hear him calling us to follow him, particularly through this COCID-19 valley of the shadow.

So, be gentle.
Be patent.
Persevere.
We can do this.
Love your neighbour!