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Monday, 01 August 2011 00:00 |
 Recently, as I was preparing a message to preach at a church on their final Sunday of Prayer and Self Denial, I was struck by the subtle but significant difference between the words "persevere" (which can mean: to continue trying to achieve something difficult) and the word "endure" (which can mean: suffer something difficult or unpleasant in a patient way over a long period). In my exploration of these words I came across Roman 15:5, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus."
Our overseas workers live and work in very challenging situations where it would be easy to become discouraged as they daily face situations, usually beyond their control, where demands are put on them, expectations are imposed upon them, and the unpredictable is the norm! Add to these things the constant heat and humidity that many of our overseas workers face at this time of the year and we have a very draining and even discouraging set of circumstances. Everything takes so much more energy and time, and even the most patient amongst us can become jaded.
This "cocktail of circumstances" and the potential effect on our workers provides a great opportunity for us to pray for endurance and encouragement for them. As we pray, we can pray with great confidence as our God is the God "who gives endurance and encouragement"! Pray too that He will give a spirit of unity among our overseas workers and those they work alongside, so that "with one heart and mouth you (and they) may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!"
In His Service,
Neil
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