The Grace of Persistence

I have been a part of a couple of interesting conversations lately. They both had something of a similar theme—persistence. In one, persistence was regarded as something we do while waiting for moments of grace to enter our lives. In the other, persistence was regarded as a vital part of dealing with difficulties in life.

I think that persistence can well be a grace in our lives. Rather than simply waiting for good things to happen, or seeing just the good things as moments of grace, persistence itself, the act of waiting is a grace. It reminds me of a word that might seem rather old-fashioned these days—biding. An online dictionary refers to bide as archaic and defines it as to “remain or stay somewhere.” It also has a sense of waiting and tarrying.

So often we are trying to hurry through life, wanting to go from one “good” moment to another, instead of abiding, waiting, tarrying. This morning, as I was leaving the house after making sure that it was in pristine order in case someone wanted to see it with their real estate agent, I asked God to please help it sell soon. Then I realized that was not what I needed to pray, so I asked God to help with have patience during this waiting time. What can the grace be for me in this time of waiting? I am not sure yet--that insight usually comes after the fact for me—but I am sure that there is grace here in this moment, and in the very act of waiting.

While I cannot make something happen faster just because I want it to, I can refuse to live into the waiting. If I do that, I will not be open to this moment. I will be like the disciples who kept falling asleep in the garden. And so, my prayer is to bide, to wait, to tarry in this moment, to be open to what the very act of biding can teach me—that the grace of persistence is deeper than I can imagine.

Luke 11:8

I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.