May 20, 2020
Persistence
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not give up.” Galatians 6: 9
Early this week Jennifer and I watched the movie, “The Founder,” the story of Ray Kroc leading the rapid expansion of McDonald’s fast food restaurant across the United Sates and throughout the world. Mr. Kroc was a milkshake mixer salesman who became instantly impressed by one of his customers:the original McDonald’s in San Bernardino, California. It’s efficiency, design, mechanization, and cleanliness convinced him that this small chain had the capability to rapidly expand across the nation. After finalizing a franchise agreement with the original owners, the McDonald brothers, Mr. Kroc eventually bought them out and went on to develop one of the most successful businesses in the world.
But at the end of the movie Mr.Kroc attributed one main principle as the reason for his success: persistence.
It’s something we have always known—that persistence is an essential ingredient for good things to happen. As Paul said to the Galatians: “…we will reap if we do not give up,” meaning if we stay true to the fruits of the spirit named in the fifth chapter of the book—love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control—we will find meaning and beauty in our lives.
Persistence is a particularly good lesson for us today. The more we persist in carrying out the medical guidance the sooner we will return to the life we have come to love and cherish.
Prayer: God in heaven, help us to persist in the wake of the pandemic in order that we may return to the joy of being together again. In Your name we pray. Amen.