“Dance with the one that brung ya'”
“You don’t change horses in midstream”
“You play the game and stay with your strength”
“You stick with what got you here in the first place”
Persevering under duress takes just this kind of attitude. A “stick-to-it-tiveness.” The church at Smyrna knew what it was like to suffer. And by the words Jesus had John write they were also examples of what it meant to persevere.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed just days before Hitler committed suicide and the Nazi party was overthrown for his alleged plot in an assassination attempt upon Hitler’s life. He was a Lutheran pastor who was ordered hanged by Heinrich Himmler. In his book The Cost of Discipleship he wrote:
Discipleship means allegiance to the suffering of Christ, and it is therefore not at all surprising that Christians should be called upon to suffer.
Suffering is part and parcel of being a follower of Christ. Jesus Himself said, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” John 16:33 (HCSB) The life of the follower of Christ is not a rose garden…except for the thorns.
The church at Smyrna is my “7” subject this week. I’d appreciate your prayers.
Praying
Although we don’t like to think about it, suffering does often come with the Christian territory. We can bear all things with Christ’s help.
Praying for Sunday, Bill!
Perseverance is one of the most amazing gifts that gets so overlooked I think.
Praying for you and yours, brother.
Dietrich is one of my heroes… great post my friend. <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com