Starting something new is exhilarating. Whether it’s a new job, a fitness goal, a creative project, or a fresh chapter in your walk with God, the beginning holds so much promise. But then reality sets in. The excitement fades, and the grind begins.
Now what?
In Luke 9:23, Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” This is not a call to despise your life or embrace suffering for its own sake. Instead, it’s an invitation to perseverance and to willingly step out of comfort for the sake of something greater. There is no greater purpose than to follow Jesus, but don’t kid yourself into thinking that it’s easy. Perseverance is not glamorous, but it’s vital. In a world that celebrates quick hacks and instant success, sticking to your commitments is a radical and deeply spiritual act.
Let’s explore how to persevere well.
The Overlooked Virtue of Perseverance
We don’t talk that much about virtue, maybe because we don’t have the patience. There are discourses on virtue that take up hundreds of thousands of pages. This level of nuance and complexity is not very conducive to a 30 second reel or 240 characters. We prefer life hacks because we like the idea of ease and efficiency, but anyone who has any experience with life knows that it is anything but easy or efficient. Thats why we need virtues that grow consistently over time. Perseverance is the virtue of patience in action.
In a culture obsessed with shortcuts, perseverance is often undervalued because perseverance calls for faithfulness and grit. While hacks might save you time in the moment, they rarely build the kind of character that can withstand life’s storms.
True perseverance is about staying faithful even when it’s hard, inconvenient, or unrewarding. It’s waking up every day and saying, “Yes, Lord,” even when you’d rather not. The Bible is full of examples of people who persevered in their calling despite immense challenges—Noah building the ark, Paul enduring imprisonment, and, most profoundly, Jesus carrying his cross. Perseverance isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up and trusting God to sustain you.
Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
One of the biggest barriers to perseverance is distraction. Life is noisy, and it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. As Christians, our “main thing” is clear: to love God and love people. But how do we keep that focus?
- Define Your “Main Thing”: Take time to reflect on what God has called you to in this season. Maybe it’s nurturing your family, pursuing a specific ministry, or growing in a particular fruit of the Spirit. Write it down and revisit it often.
- Identify What It Takes to Stick to It: Once you know your main thing, outline the habits and commitments needed to stay on track. For example, if your goal is deepening your prayer life, what time will you set aside daily? If you’re pursuing a new skill, what’s your plan for practice and growth? Remember, perseverance is about patience not perfection. It will take time to build a new habit, and failure is a part of the process, but don’t let it be the end of the journey.
- Reevaluate Regularly: Seasons change, and so do our priorities. Check in with God often to ensure your “main thing” aligns with his plans for you.
Identifying your main thing will help simplify what to say yes and no to, but don’t be fooled into thinking that simplicity is easy in a world of excess.
Simple Does Not Mean Easy
Simplicity is powerful. But simple doesn’t mean easy, and easy doesn’t mean good.
We often equate simplicity with ease, but the two are worlds apart. Jesus’ call to carry your cross daily is simple in concept but far from easy in execution. Perseverance requires discipline, sacrifice, and a willingness to embrace discomfort.
Think of an athlete training for a marathon. The daily runs, early mornings, and dietary discipline aren’t glamorous. But over time, those seemingly mundane actions add up to something extraordinary. In the same way, your commitment to God’s calling, even in the small, unseen moments, is shaping you for his purposes.
The hard truth is this: Sticking to your commitments will cost you something. But the good news is that what you gain—faithfulness, character, and deeper intimacy with God—is infinitely more valuable.
Your Life Matters
The way you live your life is the most important thing about you.
Every choice, every action, every moment is an opportunity to glorify God. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul reminds us, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” This perspective helps us understand perseverance as an act of worship.
You’re not just sticking to a fitness plan or following through on a work project. You’re living out your faith in a tangible way, showing the world what it looks like to trust God with your whole life.
The Call to Persevere
So, as you face the inevitable challenges of starting something new in 2025, remember this: Perseverance isn’t about sheer willpower. It’s about relying on the one who carried his cross so you could carry yours.
Stay focused on your “main thing.” Embrace the simplicity of daily faithfulness, even when it’s hard. And trust that God is using your perseverance to shape you into the person He’s calling you to be.
Whatever you’ve started, don’t give up. Keep going because perseverance matters. It glorifies God, strengthens your character, and inspires others to do the same. Let 2025 be the year you live with purpose and perseverance, one day at a time.
By Brandon Gilliam
