Luke 8:15 “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

The word that jumps out at me this morning is “persevering” That’s something that is each individual’s responsibility. We can have equal gifts and equal opportunities, but the one who really “bears fruit” is the one who perseveres. That’s rather a foreign concept in this age of instant everything, with ever shorter attention spans, let alone ADD. Sometimes I think one of the devil’s biggest attacks on mankind is distraction. God calls us to meditate, to abide, and the devil knows that if we will do that, he’s toast, so he does all he can to interfere. The reason God allows this is that it becomes a further selection process, making it ever clearer who is committed to Christ. We cannot change society on our own, but we can make Godly choices, choosing to focus in on Him and His Word, rather than on the flash and fluff of the world. Actually, we don’t have the wisdom and strength of will to do that on our own, but if that is our honest choice, then God will supply all that is needed. Where we have to start is the choice to be good soil, to be receptive toward God and His Word and stick with it. If that is indeed our choice, then we will bear abundant fruit that will last. (John 15:16)

Probably the reason “persevering” jumped out at me is that I have struggled with it so much. Distraction could easily be my middle name! However, God is more than faithful, and He has brought me a long way. Ministering the Gospel in Japan is certainly training in perseverance! I am not to give up on people, and I am certainly not to give up on the vision God has given me for this city. The fact that it is totally beyond my ability is all the more reason to trust God for it. I have been tempted to pack up and leave many times, but this is where the Lord has assigned me, and like Peter told Jesus, where would I go? (John 6:68) When I start cooking up “Plan B,” then I have stopped abiding in Christ. I am to accept trials as training, knowing that God will never bring me to anything that He will not bring me through. As He has been telling me for well over a year now, I need to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him!

Father, thank You for this reminder this morning. Help me not only walk in this truth myself, but also communicate it effectively to others. I deal with a lot of impatient people! Help me have Your patience with them, guiding, encouraging, and admonishing in all wisdom and love, so that together we may produce the fruit that You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!