Endure
Luke 8:15
But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.
If you are taking part in the Lent goal to read all of Luke, between now and Sunday, read Luke 7-8.
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Holding fast. Patience. Endurance. The words in this reading are ones of positive determination. They acknowledge challenging circumstances, but call us to commit with energy and tenacity to our faith. In the full parable that our verse today comes from, Jesus is clear about the difficulty of maintaining and growing our faith in the world. Hearing the word and then following Jesus’ teaching isn’t always easy or popular, and frequently confronts what our wider society deems valuable or desirable. But we are called to hold fast. When the world tempts us with self-focused beliefs, we are called to love our neighbour. When the world entices us, offering status or wealth or popularity, we are called to affirm that the first shall be last. There are no quick fixes on this path, but God promises to sustain us, that we may live in patient endurance, inspired to bear the abundant fruit of a life following Jesus.
Sustaining God, You know the difficulties in our world and see the challenges we face. Help us to grow our faith in the midst of a society that rejects and scorns You. Support us to hold fast to Your word, when those around us may persuade us to take an easier path. Nurture in us the patience and endurance needed to stay true to Your teaching. Amen.
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