The late Nelson Mandela said, “It always seems impossible until it's done.”

Sometimes things seem impossible. But we need to persevere—we need to stick with it until it’s done.

To persevere means to continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.

Nobody wants to be a quitter. Some times when we think we’re at the end of our road, we discover we’ve just reached the bend in the road and we continue toward something really spectacular.

Paul shared with the Romans about perseverance:

“…but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”[5]

Do you get the point? Paul is encouraging us to look at our difficult moments as an opportunity to produce perseverance. No one likes to have hard times. I know I don’t. But I do know, with the advantage of 20/20 hindsight, that some of the most important moments in my life are the ones that were very difficult. And going through those times brought me to places that were wonderful—exactly where God wanted me to be. As that happened to you?

Listen to what Paul wrote to his young protégé Timothy toward the end of his life:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.[6]

I want to say similar words when I get to the end of my journey. How about you?



[1] Fahlbusch, E., & Bromiley, G. W. (1999-2003). Vol. 3: The encyclopedia of Christianity (79). Grand Rapids, MI; Leiden, Netherlands: Wm. B. Eerdmans; Brill.


[2] The Holy Bible: Today's New International Version. 2005 (Jn 17:13). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.


[3] The Holy Bible: Today's New International Version. 2005 (Ec 4:9–12). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.


[4] The Holy Bible: Today's New International Version. 2005 (Jn 15:13–17). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.


[5] The Holy Bible: Today's New International Version. 2005 (Ro 5:3–5). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.


[6] The Holy Bible: Today's New International Version. 2005 (2 Ti 4:7–8). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Helen Keller said, “I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.” 

Have you ever had anyone “unfriend” you on FaceBook? I have. It’s painful. But I know one thing for sure, God will not “unfriend” you.

We all need friends. We were created to be in community. When God created Adam on the sixth day of that first week of time, He said, “It’s not good for man to be alone.”

In Ecclesiastes, the Teacher writes,

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If they fall down, they can help each other up. But pity those who fall and have no one to help them up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.[1]

Some of you listening have relationships like the Teacher describes. You have someone to help you when times are tough. You have friends who care for you and are there for you.

But some of you long for a friend that would be there for you and care for you. Well I have good news. There is One who wants to be that friend to you. Listen to what he said:

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because servants do not know their master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17This is my command: Love each other."[2]



[1] The Holy Bible: Today's New International Version. 2005 (Ec 4:9–12). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.


[2] The Holy Bible: Today's New International Version. 2005 (Jn 15:13–17). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

“Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.” These are the words of Catholic theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.

Are you a joyful person? I didn’t say are you a happy person. Happiness depends on what happens to you.  Joy is something very different.

In the encyclopedia of Christianity we read:

In a Christian lifestyle joy is an expression of a special quality of being that can be gained and brought to our awareness from a trust in God and love for others. To do so, we must differentiate the illusory joy of mere pleasure or enjoyment, which is fleeting, from true joy.[1]

You see true joy is not simply about pleasure or enjoyment what about a confident relationship with God.

The apostle Paul knew this. One day he was thrown in a Philippian jail.  He and his partner Silas were beaten to a bloody pulp.  In the book of Acts we read that they sang hymns to the Lord.

No wonder he could write these words to the Philippians while he was imprisoned:

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

No I’m not saying you should be happy when things go poorly.  If we look at the circumstances around us, often times they are very discouraging  and unhappy.

But if we change our perspective, and look up, And see a God who loves and cares for us, even when we’re going through dark valleys, we can still experience what the Bible calls joy.

You see, it’s the Lord’s joy that he gives us. In Nehemiah, we read “the joy of the Lord is our strength.”

Listen to these words Jesus prayed before going to the cross:

I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.[2]

He wants us to have joy.


[1] Fahlbusch, E., & Bromiley, G. W. (1999-2003). Vol. 3: The encyclopedia of Christianity (79). Grand Rapids, MI; Leiden, Netherlands: Wm. B. Eerdmans; Brill.


[2] The Holy Bible: Today's New International Version. 2005 (Jn 17:13). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.