Making progress

 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58 ESV)

Sometime progress is slow in coming and just plain hard work. When my children were small I was building a fence in my back yard. My son, Matthew, was watching me. I looked up from my work and said to him, “Inch by inch it’s a synch, and by the yard it’s hard!” And without missing a beat he said, “And, by the mile it’s a pile.”  We both laughed. Truth is, most jobs eventually get done if you just stick with them and don’t quit.

Don’t quit

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 ESV)

Remain steadfast

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 ESV)

Run with endurance the race set before you

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Heb. 12:1 ESV)

It produces character

“And endurance produces character, and character produces hope,” (Rom. 5:4 ESV)