1 Two Kinds of Perseverance
2 One Kind of PerseveranceI'm a rather ordinary American male who likes to watch football, basketball, and baseball on TV, but I also have a few less typical hobbies compared to the average 61 year old. It's not the usual fishing, hunting, golf, etc. that appeal to many guys. I have nothing against any of those activities, but we each have our own ways of discovering and applying our God-given abilities. For some reason, I have fallen (probably a poor word choice) into trail running and mountaineering. To give you a glimpse into some of the ways I enjoy spending leisure time, let’s look at a few images from some of our adventures. One thing I have learned from these leisure-time activities, which are often very difficult both physically and motivationally, is the value of perseverance. The point is to compare and especially contrast perseverance in leisure with perseverance in the Christian life.
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4 This was my first 100 miler, the Leadville Trail 100 in Colorado in 1988. You can see what a runnable trail we are on here, and much of the course is similar. However, the high altitude (from 9,000 to 12,600') makes for a slower pace than normal for one accustomed to sea level as is a “Bellinghamster” such as I am.
5 Approaching 12,600' Hope Pass, the high point of the Leadville Trail 100, and you get to go over it twice. Completing a very difficult race such as Leadville requires solid preparation (training) and a plan on race day, part of which is to take it one step at a time (literally) .
6 The picture below is me during a short break in the Coldfoot 100 Mile Race, way north of the Arctic Circle in Alaska. If it looks cold, it was (-12º F). At this race I was barely able to finish before the 24 hour cutoff. I learned more about perseverance, since it was a constant temptation to “bag it” and climb into the nice, warm support vehicle.
7 I’m still smiling during The Eagle 100 in British Columbia, which featured a neck-deep river crossing, twice! The second crossing was at night and I got quite cold to the point where running became very difficult, and I still had to ascend 4,500’ up to the finish line. Perseverance is the desire to continue until a goal is reached, or at the very least persist until one has nothing left to give.
8 What a time for a trick ankle, with 62 miles still to goWhat a time for a trick ankle, with 62 miles still to go. Such great timing but I made it to complete the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning in 1994 by completing this event, the Wasatch 100 in Utah. In “real life”, God promises to guard our path. Psalm 18:
9 Habakkuk 3: 19 and Isaiah 40: 28 – 31.This is early in the Hardrock 100 in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, as I’m climbing up to the first of many 13,000' passes. This course has about 65,000' of elevation change at an average altitude of 11,200'. It's best to be in shape… and to recall Habakkuk 3: 19 and Isaiah 40: 28 – 31.
10 Here at the Angeles Crest 100 we are enjoying trail running at its best... a thoroughly runnable trail, early in the day when it's sunny but cool, and still early enough in the race to feel strong and energetic. This is near the high point of the course, Mt. Baden-Powell at over 9,000', when I did the event in 1993. Running100 miles is like life: it’s done one step at a time.
11 This picture was taken by our son in the middle of the night near the end of the Western States 100 in the Sierras. I felt even worse than I look (nauseous and sleep deprived) but the chocolate pudding Audrey gave me, which I am slurping down here, gave me the boost necessary to scurry the last 7 miles to the finish in Auburn, California. Other runs have been even more like “death marches” to the finish, but by sticking to the task, one can achieve one’s goal. Never give up! Perseverance: steady, purposeful persistence in a course of action.
12 This is Denali in Alaska as seen from Wonder Lake. Also known as MtThis is Denali in Alaska as seen from Wonder Lake. Also known as Mt. McKinley, its 20,320' top is the highest point in North America. I failed to reach the top in 1999, but went back and summitted on June 26, 2004. Persistence pays!
13 The top of North America!
14 TWO KINDS OF PERSEVERANCE: COMPAREDCHRISTIAN LIFE DIFFICULT CAN BE DANGEROUS PROGRESSIVE (STEP BY STEP) GOAL-BASED PURPOSE PLAN PROCESS LEISURE (ULTRARUNNING AND MOUNTAINEERING DIFFICULT CAN BE DANGEROUS PROGRESSIVE (STEP BY STEP) GOAL-BASED PURPOSE PLAN PROCESS
15 TWO KINDS OF PERSEVERANCE: CONTRASTEDLEISURE (Ultrarunning and mountaineering, in this case) No eternal consequences, per se. I Tim. 4:8 Depends on our effort Can be too difficult Can be selfish Often leads to pride Physically based Psalm 147:10 CHRISTIAN LIFE Great eternal consequences II Tim. 4:7 Depends on God’s grace Temptations (sidetracks) are not too difficult with God’s grace I Cor. 10:12 – 13 Selfless Leads to humility Faith based
16 Why We Don’t Give Up Chart from Life Application Bible (NIV), page 2077The Christian life was never promised as an easy way to live; we are constantly reminded in Scripture that we must have a plan because times will be difficult and Satan will attack. But we never persevere without the promise of a prize – a promise God will keep. Reference The Purpose The Plan The Prize I Corinthians 9: Run to get the prize Run straight to the goal Deny yourself whatever is potentially harmful Discipline your body, training it A crown that will last forever Galatians 6: Don’t become weary in doing good Don’t get discouraged and give up Do good to everyone Sow to please the Spirit Reap eternal life Ephesians 6: Put on the full armor of God Pray on all occasions Use all the pieces of God’s armor provided for you Taking our stand against the devil’s schemes Philippians 3: Press on toward the day when you will be all God wants you to be Forget the past, strain toward what is ahead The prize for which God calls us heavenward 2 Timothy 2: Entrust these great truths to people who ;will teach them to others Be strong in Christ’s grace, even when your faith is faltering Endure hardship like a soldier, and don’t get involved in worldly affairs Follow the Lord’s rules, as an athlete must do in order to win Work hard, like a farmer who tends his crops for harvest We will live with Christ; we reign with Him He always remains faithful to us and always carries out His promises
17 Perseverance in Scripture: Some additional referencesJeremiah 32: 40 Acts 20: 24 I Corinthians 1: 8 - 9 Philippians 1: ; Philippians 3:2 – 3 Colossians 1: I Thessalonians 5: Hebrews 12:1 James 1: 2- 4; James 1:12 – 15 Jude
18 “We are saved through perseverance, not apart from it“We are saved through perseverance, not apart from it.” Quote from Jay E. Adams, “Perseverance of the Saints,” in After Darkness, Light, R.C. Sproul, Jr. (ed) “Once-saved-always-saved” view : Focus is on one’s profession of faith Leads to complacency (“ I have a ticket to Heaven, so I can live it up on Earth”) “Perseverance” view (Reformed view) : Focus is on progress in the Christian’s faith (a lifelong process of sanctification) Philippians 1: 6; Romans 8:30 Leads to holiness.
19 “While a person is not saved by works… nor does he remain saved by works [emphasis added]…God saves only those who persevere in the faith. That perseverance is the result of the work of the Spirit in their hearts, but, nevertheless, it is a work that enables them to keep on believing, as Peter says [I Peter 1: 3 – 9]. God does not believe for them. They are “guarded” through faith.” Quote from Jay E. Adams, “Perseverance of the Saints,” in After Darkness, Light, R.C. Sproul, Jr. (ed)
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