Is There a Light at the End of the Tunnel?

    I wish that I had more skills. Not the types of skills that Napoleon Dynamite speaks of, but still most of the time the things I wish I could do are learnable. For example, learning Czech, becoming a "better" photographer, or learning HTML coding, or rock climbing, or baking are just a few things of which I would like to improve my knowledge. 
    Unfortunately, I find I usually cannot be bothered to have the time or put forth the effort it would take to become adept at any of these skills. And let's be honest, in this world today, we cannot accept being a novice for long. Sure, we can accept mediocrity and we--willingly do, often daily, from ourselves and each other. But when a task is new and becomes cumbersome and requires any sort of perseverance, 80% of the time, our culture says to give up. It's ok to quit. In sports, we talk a different game, but how many kids still walk away because it's too hard? And we let them.
    I fall into this category more often than I would like (and not just with learning new skills, with the simple things). I have the best of intentions, but as the saying goes "the road to hell..." and what not. And this all comes down to my lack of perseverance. Well, I have recently been taking note of that word in the Bible--perseverance. God promises so many different blessings and rewards that come to those who persevere in the faith. Well, what is perseverance you may ask? HARD STINKING WORK, that's what. :-) According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, it is, "steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty in achieving success." Steadfast--to be firm and unwavering, no matter what the cost, no matter what troubles, sorrows, or worries come your way. That is an intense definition, if you ask me.
    While I daily fall short and struggle with self-control, an area frequently mentioned with perseverance, the verses that I am focusing on this month are, 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."    James 1:2-4

   My personal example of struggle with perseverance right now is having the drive to pursue God more consistently. I stated in my last blog that I want to strive for intimacy with Him, that requires more than just getting fed on Sunday mornings and the occasional devotional. It requires devotion and it is something that I am learning even more about. It is setting aside things that I have thought to be important in the past and just being with Him. Sometimes, these things are watching tv, or hanging out with friends, or accomplishing more work, and for me, I often want to give in and just do the easy thing. However, I am really trying this month to strive toward perseverance, because God promises we will not lack anything then (even the fun in life).
 I would ask that you would pray for perseverance in your own lives, but also for me to persevere with the relationships I am trying to build here in the CZ. It can get hard to continue in this when you are far from home or you don't speak a lot of the language still, and you are still somewhat unsure of cultural aspects, and so many other things. Thanks so much for your continued support!

View of the Castle in Cesky Krumlov with the perfect
 example of perseverance in front of it.