Arising is one thing, but staying the course is another.
It is one thing to receive a vision, start a project or take the first step towards an assignment God has given you. It is another thing to keep going when challenges arise, when progress seems slow and when the excitement you had at the beginning begins to fade.
In every assignment or project, there are many things that contribute to its success. However, two things we must learn to cultivate on our part are persistency and consistency.
In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, we explored the importance of arising and recognising the enemy’s devices in an attempt to hinder us from doing so. In this final part, we will look at two qualities that help us remain committed to the vision God has given us.
Before we go any further, it is important to recognise that the One who gives us an assignment is also the One who empowers us to see it through. However, depending on God does not exempt us from our responsibility to act. We must do our part, trusting Him for the grace and strength to fulfil what He has entrusted to us.
Vision: Seeing Beyond Where You Are
For every assignment or project, there must be a vision. Before you begin, you need to have a picture of what you are working towards. Having a clear vision helps you remain focused, motivates you to keep showing up and reminds you of the bigger picture when challenges arise.
Consider the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis.
Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. Genesis 37:5 (NIV)
Joseph went on to share the dream in which his brothers’ sheaves of grain bowed down to his. He later had another dream involving the sun, moon and eleven stars bowing down to him Genesis 37:5–9 (NIV)
These dreams revealed something about Joseph’s future, but his journey towards that future was far from easy.
As we continue reading his story, we see that Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. While serving in Potiphar’s household, he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and subsequently imprisoned. What appeared to be a promising future was followed by seasons of betrayal, injustice and hardship.
Yet, we know that Joseph’s story did not end in prison. In God’s providence, he eventually rose to a position of authority in Egypt, where he was able to preserve many lives during a severe famine.
Joseph’s journey reminds us that a difficult season does not necessarily mean that God has abandoned His purpose for our lives. The road to the fulfilment of a vision may look very different from what we imagined when we first received it.
A vision does more than motivate us to keep going in the face of challenges; it also helps direct our activities. When you understand what you are working towards, you become more intentional about how you spend your time, the decisions you make and the opportunities you pursue.
The late Dr Myles Munroe often taught about the importance of vision and the direction it gives to life. The principle is simple: without a clear vision, we can become occupied with activities that do not move us towards a meaningful goal.
When you lack direction, it becomes easier to be swayed by distractions, doubt and discouragement. You may find yourself doing many things without making meaningful progress on the assignment God has placed on your heart. What began as a promising idea can remain just that, an idea that never materialises.
This is why we must take time to understand the vision, write down our goals and prayerfully consider the steps required to move forward.
Persistency: The Decision Not to Give Up
Now that we understand the importance of vision, we must consider the power of persistency.
When you are convicted about a vision and understand what you are working towards, you must learn to persevere. There will be days when you feel discouraged, seasons when the challenges seem overwhelming and moments when you are physically or emotionally tired. There may even be times when you question whether your efforts are making any difference.
It is in these moments that persistency becomes important.
Paul encourages us in Galatians 6:9:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
“If we do not give up.” Those words remind us that we must not allow weariness, discouragement or difficult circumstances to cause us to abandon doing what is right.
Persistency is not about pretending that challenges do not exist. It is about choosing to continue despite them. It is understanding that a slow season does not automatically mean you should stop, and that the absence of immediate results does not make your efforts meaningless.
But how do we keep going when our strength begins to fail?
We remain rooted in the One who gave us the vision in the first place. We stay connected to God through prayer, His Word and fellowship with Him. We keep our altar burning and refuse to allow our oil to run dry. We draw strength from Him rather than relying solely on our own abilities.
Remember, the goal is not to pursue an assignment in our own strength, but to remain faithful to what God has entrusted to us while depending on Him for the grace to continue.
Giving up may sometimes appear to be the easiest option, especially when the journey becomes difficult. However, we must learn to persevere, trusting God to strengthen us and guide us through every season.
Consistency: The Discipline of Showing Up
Persistency and consistency often go hand in hand, but they are not exactly the same.
Persistency is about continuing despite opposition and setbacks. Consistency is about showing up faithfully and repeatedly, even when the excitement has faded and there is no immediate reward.
Many plans and assignments fail to make progress because of a lack of consistency. We can be on fire and full of enthusiasm today, only to become discouraged and inactive tomorrow. We start with great energy but struggle to maintain the habits and discipline needed to sustain our efforts.
The truth is that fulfilling an assignment often requires more than a powerful moment of inspiration. It requires the willingness to keep doing the necessary work, even when it becomes part of our ordinary routine.
If you struggle with consistency, take time to examine the patterns that may be hindering you. Is it a lack of planning? Are you relying entirely on motivation or willpower? Are distractions constantly taking your attention away from what matters? Do you set unrealistic goals that become difficult to maintain?
Identify the patterns, write them down and begin to address them.
There is power in having a proper structure and plan. Write down your goals, pray over them and identify the practical steps that will move you towards the manifestation of the vision. Break bigger tasks into smaller, manageable actions and establish a realistic routine that allows you to make steady progress.
You do not have to accomplish everything in one day. What matters is that you remain intentional about the work you have been given to do.
Consistency also requires discipline. There will be days when you do not feel motivated, but you can learn to honour your commitments even when your emotions do not align with them. At the same time, remember that rest is not the enemy of consistency. There will be seasons when you need to pause, recover and seek God’s direction. The goal is not to exhaust yourself, but to remain faithful and disciplined over time.
Most importantly, let your consistency be rooted in your relationship with God, not in the pressure to prove yourself. Our efforts matter, but we must never forget the One who gives us the ability, wisdom and strength to carry them out.
Arise, and Keep Going
As we conclude this Arise and Shine series, remember that arising is not merely about taking the first step. It is also about learning to remain faithful to the assignment God has placed on your heart.
You need a vision to give you direction, persistency to help you navigate challenges and consistency to sustain your efforts along the way.
There may be days when the journey feels longer than you expected. There may be moments when you cannot see the results of your labour. But do not allow a difficult season to make you forget the importance of what God has called you to do.
Stay connected to Him. Keep seeking His direction. Be intentional about your actions, disciplined in your habits and willing to persevere when things become difficult. When you fall short, do not remain discouraged; get back up, learn from the experience and keep moving forward with God’s help.
Remember, you are not called to do everything in your own strength. You are called to depend on God and faithfully play your part.
So, whatever God has placed on your heart to do, do not stop at the point of inspiration. Take the step, nurture the vision, remain persistent through challenges and cultivate the consistency needed to keep going.
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