But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. (Heb. 10:39)
When we moved into our present home several years ago, my wife and I knew that there were changes that we wanted to make—improvements that would make it “our” home. We revamped the basement and created a play area for the grandchildren. My wife wanted an updated countertop for the kitchen. We added a screened back porch.
But the most unnerving of the projects was the renovation of our master bedroom and bath. For weeks we endured sawdust, powdery grime from sanding, and sheets of plastic hung from the ceiling and doorways. We had to move all the furniture from the bedroom to other rooms in the house. We endured carpenters, electricians, and plumbers. In all the clutter, we couldn’t find items that we needed.
A friend who was visiting one afternoon and stumbled into the mess asked, “How can you stand all of this?”
“We persist,” was the only answer I could give her. For those several weeks, we lived in disorder, untidiness, and chaos. But, we stuck it out; we did not shrink away from the turmoil knowing that on the other side of the chaos, things would be better. And they were.
I need to remember that life sometimes calls for endurance and persistence. With God’s help, I will make it through and be strengthened in the end.
Persist through chaos, and you will find God’s faithfulness, peace, and assurance.
Drexel Rankin is a retired ordained minister who has served full time in Indiana, Alabama, and Kentucky. He and his wife, Patty, currently live in Louisville, Kentucky.
© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
