(Patience & Perseverance)
RaJean Vawter
Patty and Percy were excited. Everything was packed. They’d been over the instructions many times. In a group meeting recently, they’d been challenged to “go the distance,” to do something great, to look beyond themselves and take on the mountain of challenge. Now, confident and joyful, they set out to conquer “The Mountain.” “The Mountain” was a huge, imposing peak that had stood as guardian over their small, valley town for generations. Today, with hearts ablaze with purpose, Patty and Percy set out for the climb.
The first hour was smooth going. Young and strong, they made good time even though there were many climbers who passed them up. After a brief rest, the second hour showed a bit more challenge but they were up to the task though their movements were perceptibly slower. As they continued on, the path became narrower and harder because of the rocks and boulders strewn along the path. The climb was also much steeper. Unlike the way it was at the beginning, they couldn’t see the summit. They had to continue the climb on faith that it was still there, that their first vision of it had not been a figment of their imaginations.
Eventually, they began to see other climbers who had started earlier meeting them on the way down. “What is it like at the top?” they queried. “Is the view absolutely stunning?” “Oh we didn’t go all the way up,” people responded. “It’s too hard,” another groaned. “The path is too narrow and steep,” said a third. “But the climb was still well worth it no matter how far up you go,” they all assured them. Patty and Percy looked at each other in shock and amazement. “How could this be?” they wondered. “Is it really so difficult? What about all the promises they’d read in the instruction manual? Can we really do this?” Puzzled and with more than a little skepticism, they trudged on. Well, actually, Patty remained cheerful while she trudged. But Perseverance just trudged, remembering the promises they’d made to people down in the valley.
Eventually, they realized they hadn’t met a single climber going either up or back down. Feeling abandoned, they nevertheless continued on even though their limbs were burning and sore. It was lonely without the encounters with other climbers. They checked their gear and prayed. Patty relied on Percy for the endurance she needed. Percy accepted Patty’s cheerfulness and they worked together as a team.
Soon the narrow path disappeared altogether. Though they knew from stories they’d read that others had forged all the way to the top, they began to feel like pioneers. Somehow, that strengthened their determination to go all the way – for a while.
Nevertheless, when they were almost ready to give up themselves, a climber came up behind them. Happy was strong and cheered, “Come on, guys! You can do it! Just imagine what it’s going to be like up there!” Buoyed by his positive attitude and the strength of his strong arms helping them over the rough spots, Patty and Percy forged on. Their new companion talked almost non-stop even though the climb was treacherous. Percy wondered how he could possibly climb, talk and breathe at the same time. But the chatter kept them going and strengthened their resolve.
One last “pull-up” and suddenly they found themselves on the pinnacle of “The Mountain.” Gasping for breath, they collapsed on the ground. But even before they began to breathe normally again, they took in the view. Spectacular!!! Amazing!!! Such beauty! Such quiet and stillness! Wow! High-fiving each other, they began to jump and dance around, proud of themselves for having persevered and continued on.
“Look at that!” they heard Happy exclaim. “And that! And that!” Patty and Percy looked in the directions he was pointing with such excitement and glee. Their dancing abruptly stopped. They stood in shock at what they saw.
Before I tell the end of this parable, let me tell it again; this time with more detail. First of all you need to know Patty and Percy’s full names. They are Patty Patience and Percy Perseverance. Now let me tell the story with a lot more embellishment.
FULL STORY:
Patty Patience and Percy Perseverance were excited. Everything was packed. They’d been over the instructions in the Bible many times. In a group church meeting recently, they’d been challenged to “go the distance,” to do something great for God,” to look beyond themselves and take on the mountain of challenge that life on planet earth presents. Now, confident that Jesus lived in their hearts and joyful over the power and promises of the Lord, they set out to conquer “The Mountain.” “The Mountain of Faith and Service to the King” was a huge, imposing peak that had stood as guardian over their small, valley town for generations because of those who’d gone before; those who had lived the fullness of the complete Gospel and had fulfilled their destiny and purpose. Today, with hearts ablaze with purpose, Patty and Percy set out for the climb of their lives.
The first hour was smooth going. Young and strong in the Lord, they made good time even though there were many climbers who passed them up. After a brief rest, the second hour showed a bit more challenge but they were up to the task though their movements were perceptibly slower. Sometimes it was harder to hear the Lord’s voice. As they continued on, the path became narrower and harder. The miracles they’d experienced in the beginning and the answers to prayer came much more slowly. It was often hard to either remove or navigate around the rocks of their past, before Christ, and the boulders of sin and self-justification. The climb was also much steeper. They told each other, “One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the UPWARD call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13b-14) Unlike the way it was at the beginning, they couldn’t see the summit. They had to continue the climb on faith that it was still there, that their first vision of it had not been a figment of their imaginations.
Eventually, they began to see other climbers who had started earlier meeting them on the way down. “What is it like at the top?” they queried. “Is the view absolutely stunning?” “Oh we didn’t go all the way up,” people responded. “It’s too hard,” another groaned. “The path is too narrow and steep,” said a third.” “But the climb was still well worth it no matter how far up you go,” they all assured them. Other comments they heard were, “God doesn’t expect that much out of you.” “I can only do so much.” “God gave us a brain so He expects us to use it. And my brain says enough suffering is enough.” “I can go this far but no farther.” “I don’t want to give all of my strength and energy to reach the top. There are other things I’d rather be doing. God understands.” “I thought the Lord told me to go but since it’s so hard, I obviously didn’t hear Him right.” “You go; I’ll help finance you.”
Patty and Percy looked at each other in shock and amazement. “How could this be?” they wondered. “Is it really so difficult? What about all the promises they’d read in the Scriptures? Can we really do this? Did God really say?” Puzzled and with more than a little skepticism, they trudged on. Well, actually, Patty Patience remained cheerful while she trudged. But Percy Perseverance just trudged, remembering the promises they’d made to people down in the valley. Those were the people they wanted to bring to the Lord, to be a witness to as well as their fellow believers. So for the sake of what others they could influence, they continued the climb. They began to realize however, that they were being tested. They recalled James words when he wrote, “The testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:3-4)
Eventually, they realized they hadn’t met a single climber going either up or back down. Feeling abandoned, they nevertheless continued on even though their limbs were burning and sore. It was lonely without the encounters with other climbers. They checked their gear – the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17) and praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication. . . . (Ephesians 6:18) Patty relied on Percy for the endurance she needed. Percy accepted Patty’s cheerfulness and they worked together as a team.
Soon the narrow path disappeared altogether. Though they knew from stories they’d read in the Bible that others had forged all the way to the top, they began to feel like pioneers. Somehow, that strengthened their determination to go all the way, remembering Hebrews 6:11-12. We desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. This admonition helped – for a while.
Nevertheless, when they were almost ready to give up themselves, a climber came up behind them. Happy Hope was strong and cheered, “Come on, guys! You can do it! Just imagine what it’s going to be like up there!” Buoyed by his positive attitude and the strength of his strong arms helping them over the rough spots, Patty and Percy forged on. He had the patience of hope that Paul mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Their new companion, talked almost non-stop even though the climb was treacherous. Percy wondered how he could possibly climb, talk and breathe at the same time. But the chatter kept them going and strengthened their resolve. Grateful for his help, Percy began to understand – finally – the passage in Romans 5:3-5a. We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope. They had truly tribulated throughout the climb. It had not been easy. But Perseverance and Patience had helped each other. The integrity of their characters had been strengthened when they resolved to keep going even when others had turned back. Digging deep, they continued the climb. Then, just when they needed it most, Hope had shown up. Truly the tribulation of the climb had produced perseverance in them which had morphed into approved character. And that had led to Hope showing up. “Patty!” Percy almost yelled, “What’s the rest of that Romans passage about tribulation, perseverance, character and hope? What does it say about Hope?” With eager anticipation, he watched Patty stop and search her memory. He could almost see the wheels in her brain turning. When she finally understood what scripture Percy was referring to, her eyes lit up and a look of awe crept across her face. Breathlessly, she whispered, “Hope does not disappoint.”
One last “pull-up” and suddenly they found themselves on the pinnacle of “The Mountain.” Gasping for breath, they collapsed on the ground. But even before they began to breathe normally again, they took in the view. Spectacular!!! Amazing!!! Such beauty! Such quiet and stillness! Wow! High-fiving each other, they began to jump and dance around, proud of themselves for having persevered – with patience – and continued on. Other mountains which had seemed huge from the valley floor now appeared to be little hills.
“Look at that!” they heard their companion exclaim. “And that! And that!” Patty and Percy looked in the directions he was pointing with such excitement and glee. Their dancing abruptly stopped. They stood in shock at what they saw. Here they were at the top of their game, at the top of The Mountain and what did they now see? Other mountain peaks all around that were much higher than the one they’d just climbed. Some were 3-4,000 feet higher! Between the other peaks and the three climbers, were big valleys, steep descents and dangerous climbs. To reach them they would have to go down into the valleys, climb up to the level they’d just attained and then go higher still. But rather than be discouraged, they realized that with the fullness of who they’d become on this climb – Patty Patience and Percy Perseverance and the encouragement of Happy Hope, they had gained faith. In an instant, they understood that while faith has to believe, patience has power to wait and endure; Perseverance has the persuasion and the grit.
This parable shows us the ultimate challenge of our walk with the Lord in these end times. Each family or ministry problem, each obstacle, each fear, each health challenge is a mountain to climb. If we’re going to get over these mountains, we will have to understand that we will need:
· Patty Patience – I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth – praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40:1-3)
· Percy Perseverance – We will reap the rewards only if we are one of “those who by patient continuance (perseverance) in doing good seek for glory, honor and immortality. (Romans 2:7)
· Happy Hope – God . . . by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil. (Hebrews 6:18-19)
Faith – We won’t always be able to see where we’re going, the end of the road, and the top of the summit. As it was with Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Daniel, all the great saints of old it is with us. All these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise. (Hebrews 11:39) But it is impossible to have the kind of faith we need without Patty and Percy, patience and perseverance. Many times, I’ve been guilty of praying for God to do something and asking that He do it “soon, as we count soon.” Why have I done that? Because I want it now. I don’t want to wait. I’m impatient. I’ve been a willing participant in our microwave culture.
Sometimes I’ve prayed that way because I don’t want to persevere. I’m tired. I want to see it, hold it, feel it – now! For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:36)
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (climb various mountains), knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have is perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-3)
I looked up the meaning of that word patience in all the verses I’ve quoted. According to Strong’s, it means, “cheerful or hopeful, endurance, constancy, waiting, patient continuance.” Are we climbing our mountains with those qualities? Of the verses I’ve quoted in this lesson, the only exception is the meaning of the word patiently in Psalm 40:1. The word David used when he said he waitedpatiently for the Lord means, “to bind together by twisting, collect, to expect, wait for, wait on, and wait upon.” Perseverancemeans to be earnest towards, to persevere, be consistently diligent, to attend assiduously all the exercises.
Besides telling us to slow down and not get anxious about when the other shoe is going to fall concerning whatever we’re stressed out about, what else can we glean from this lesson? How about, be patient with ourselves and each other? But I want transformation of my community now! I want my adult children to get their act together now! But I’m so discouraged by the behavior of my grandchild, my job situation, my nation. How can we possibly be encouraged and built up when all around us we see chaos, sin and tribulation?
THE ANSWER: Climb your mountain with Patty and Percy, straightening your armor and praying as you go. Like David, twist yourself up with the Lord and the promises of His Word. Take the joy that is in Patty and take the endurance that is Percy. (In other words, just do the “stuff.”) And when Happy Hope comes along, don’t refuse his help. When you conquer one mountain, don’t be alarmed when another one looms before you. You learned a lot from your previous climbs so just remember and use what you learned on them, pull on the muscles you gained and the easy part will be as high as the last summit. You won’t even be challenged until you get to the higher elevation.
The effectiveness of whatever God is doing in and through us is not hindered by our lack of perfect understanding or ability or how much time we have to get things done.
Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6)