The Work of Perseverance

I recently accomplished a goal that required a fair bit of perseverance, and even some suffering; I walked a minimum of 10,000 steps outside every day for a year. Now, it isn't really that hard to walk 10,000 steps, but doing it every day, in all of Oregon's splendid and not-so-splendid weather conditions (yes, I walked during the ice storm), tested my commitment and developed my character. I've been reflecting on James' call for us to "let perseverance finish its work" so that we will be "mature and complete." This Sabbath, as we celebrate communion, I invite you to share bread and cup at The Table of His Enduring Faithfulness. Let's embrace together the reality that Jesus persevered through the most intense suffering, enduring the cross and emerging victorious over death. Jesus is the ONE who is able to present us to God, mature and complete, holy and blameless--in Him!