SUCCEEDING AND PERSEVERING

When a customer leaves Brad’s Auto Body (where I work), they receive a mug filled with cellophane -wrapped candy and Tootsie-pops.  I was prepping a few mugs today when I started musing about success and perseverance.  Is it enough for us to persevere?  Do we HAVE to succeed?

For the moment, put aside the question about how we define success.  That question will not get settled here.  For this discussion, I will define success as achieving the desired outcome to a person’s satisfaction.  For one student, success is just passing the test or may be even getting a “B” grade.  For another, success is onloy measured by how strong the “A” is on the same assignment.

I like succeeding at my work, at hobbies, and whatever else I do in life.  Over the last year, I went out on a number of interviews before landing a job prior to the one I hold now.  I did not succeed in all the interviews that led up to the first “yes.”  Sometimes I did not get an interview.  I did keep at the process until I got a (much needed) job.  Not succeeding was difficult.  Persevering was hard. 

A student I know is working hard to succeed in his classes.  He is not succeeding in one class because he is not getting the material.  It doesn’t help him that the teacher is not the best communicator.  He projects that he will not get a good grade in the class which will reflect on his GPA and affect where he goes to school.

This guy is working hard and has defined success as getting an “A.”  It does not seem that it will be enough to take the class, persevere and pass the class.

So I ask you to reflect with me.  Are we so success-driven that we cannot embrace or even enjoy perseverance, if even for a season?  I am asking myself this hard question as I feel I am in that kind of season.  I would love to here what you think.

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   steven says:

   October 17, 2011 at 10:18 pm

   The knowledge that we are in danger, but fearful to move is an acute problem. I’m reminded of the story where the Lord calls Peter out of the boat to walk on the water. If Peter had only kept his eyes on the Lord, all would have been okay. Your kittens did not know who they were looking at when they saw you. We know who we can be looking at if we so choose, and He is safe.

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     pastaspin says:

     October 19, 2011 at 8:45 pm

     Good thought, Steve. Knowing who we are looking at is key to trust and moving out of danger.

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