Recently, I was looking through an Elim directory printed a couple
of years ago. This particular version listed the number of years
couples had been married next to the anniversary date. As I scrolled
through 74 couples listed, I counted 40 who had been married for more
than 20 years. Researchers have told us that the divorce rate among
Christians is the same as that of the secular world. This list does
not support that conclusion. Where else in the world do you find this
kind of commitment? Those of us who have been married many years know
that one key ingredient to a long marriage is perseverance.
Hebrews 12:1 encourages us to “run with perseverance the race
marked out for us”.
The author knew some days would be better than others, but
persistence is often the only way to finish the race. It’s not that we
don’t want to, but as in marriage, there are difficult times. Making
the commitment to “stick it out” by relying on each other through
those times has built our relationship. My initial surface attraction
to my wife has been replaced with a strong appreciation of her
character. I have fallen deeper in love with her as we have created
the legacy of our family. When we spend time with the Lord, we fall
deeper in love with His character and become more attracted to Him.
The author of Hebrews knew his readers were experiencing frustrations,
obstacles, temptations and persecutions. But he admonished them to
continue to push on because nothing else compares to Jesus.
In James we read that trials and testing develop perseverance,
resulting in maturity and completeness. One of the greatest blessings
we have had as members of Elim is the shear longevity of our
fellowship here. We have seen children grow up to become dedicated
servants of the Lord, we have experienced very trying times and
watched the church mature and grow as a result. Just as weathering
through the years in a marriage builds that relationship, staying at
this church has given us perspective: we know all about it and we love
it just the same.
Regardless of our circumstances, perseverance is considered blessed
(James 5:11) and we consider ourselves blessed to be among people at
Elim who persevere.
