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It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer.
*Albert Einstein
Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.
*Walter Elliott, The Spiritual Life
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By the age of 5, Beethoven was playing the violin under the tutelage of his father - also an accomplished musician. By the time he was 13, Beethoven was a concert organist. In his 20s he was already studying under the very watchful eyes of Haydn and Mozart. In fact, Mozart spoke prophetic words when he declared that Beethoven would give the world something worth listening to by the time his life ended. As Beethoven began to develop his skills, he became a prolific composer.
During his lifetime, he wrote nine majestic symphonies and five concertos for piano, not to mention numerous pieces of chamber music. Ludwig van Beethoven also wrote sonatas and pieces for violin and piano. He has thrilled us with the masterful works of unique harmony that broke with the traditions of his times. The man was a genius.
Beethoven was not, however, a stranger to difficulties. During his 20s, he began to lose his hearing. His fingers "became thick," he said on one occasion. He couldn't feel the music as he once had. His hearing problem haunted him in the middle years of his life, but he kept it a well-guarded secret. When he reached his 50s, Beethoven was stone deaf. Three years later he made a tragic attempt to conduct an orchestra and failed miserably. Approximately five years later, he died during a fierce thunder storm.
He was deaf, yet a magnificent musician. On one occasion, Beethoven was overheard shouting at the top of his voice as he slammed both fists on the keyboard, "I will take life by the throat!"
*Chuck Swindoll. Hand Me Another Brick.
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7 Though I am surrounded by troubles,
you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.
You reach out your hand,
and the power of your right hand saves me.
8 The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
Don’t abandon me, for you made me.
*Psalm 138.7-8 (NLT)
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Beethoven never lost his passion for writing and performing music, and in spite of physical challenges that might have made many other persons give up. This is perseverance.
The Psalmist speaks of perseverance. We, like the Psalmist, may feel "surrounded by troubles" that appear to question our success, present or future. These troubles can lead us to want to surrender our value or potential, even our present capabilities.
As someone once said: "The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places." Yet, the Psalmist chose not to quit, to park, and he expressed his faith in prayerful song. Our quiet times are vital to affirming our commitment to what we are called to do and live, and prayer and song is one way of affirming our faith that all will be well, for all is in the Hands of God.
The "anger of enemies" may not be other persons. Our "foes" are more often inner struggles we have within ourselves. God can help in our succeeding in spite of them and toward healing them. The ideal of the successful Christian being a person who is perfect inside and out is an illusion. No one has it all together, so to speak, and most of us would have a telling tale to tell if we spoke of the inner struggles we have had to deal with along the way.
The help of God is imaged by a powerful "right hand." This is a frequent image of divine help in the Scriptures.
With the Psalmist we say, "The Lord will work out his plans for my life" - not your plans, not my plans, not the plans of someone else.
Why do we have this confidence? Because of the Love of God, a loyal affection that "endures" always. No circumstances we face, no struggles we encounter, and no obstacles that present themselves can, in any measure, diminish the Love of God for us.
This Love is an active Grace, one that does not relinquish the Divine intent within and among us. Therefore, our faith in God is our faith in God being able to keep doing through us what we could never do without the help of Grace.
I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you [or, among you] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
*Philippians 1.6 (HCSB)
The Psalmist participates in the faithfulness of God toward him by praying: "Don't abandon me, for you made me." This is like saying, "Don't leave me, for I could never make it without your help. After all, you made me, I did not make myself." That humility is essential to link with the passion we have for living and serving our gifts.
This takes us back to the Philippians 1.6 passage. The Philippians did not start the work of Grace within themselves, God did. So, they cannot continue it or complete it either; they can only cooperate with the Spirit. Perseverance is our reliant cooperation with Grace, not our dogged determination to keep going or not give up.
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*The two opening quotes are from www.quotegarden.com . The story from Chuck Swindoll was taken from www.sermonillustrations.com .
*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in continuing his ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com . Brian is in need of more funding to purchase a desk-top computer.
*Brian's book of spiritual love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers or the Cokesbury on-line store, cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox, a United Methodist Pastor, lives in Southwest Florida. He is a vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a contemplative life and seeks to inspire others to enjoy a more intimate relationship with Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused, experiential Christianity and renewal of the Church through addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons.
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