Persistence in our spiritual practices is important to their success. A great deal of the benefit to our spiritual selves from our spiritual practices comes from the changes arising within us, the changes in our attitudes and our efforts. Being persistent is important because it reminds us of our goals and makes us more supportive of what we want. Persistence has the power to transform us. It is powerful in our inner world, but it is also effective in the world outside us because the world responds more appreciatively to our transformed, loving self.
Be persistent. It is important to “Go for it.” It is also important to “Keep after it.” There will be consequences.
Picture the crawling baby. He pulls himself up to the coffee table and balances precariously, weaving gently as he eyes the distance to the armchair. He takes those first faltering steps and lets go of the coffee table. He is out there in a sea of unknown territory. He makes a few more clumsy steps and suddenly his balance escapes his control and his backside slaps the floor − abject failure!
How many times will he rise from such failures to try again? Hundreds? — at least. But one day he will make it from the coffee table to the armchair on his own two feet.
And just to press the analogy of learning to walk a little further, think now of all the time and effort which lies between the triumph of his first steps and the agile first grader playing tag, or the high school football hero threading his way through the other team’s defense.
Our ability to feel God’s presence, to receive the reinforcement of his power, or to perceive the confirmation of his guidance takes time, determination, effort…and persistence. Our successes will grow if we keep after It.
