According to dictionary.com perseverance means: steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. This word is how I would describe my Saturday.
Saturday morning, my eldest son, Hunter, shared a video on his Facebook page titled “Never Give Up!” . It was an inspirational story about a paratrooper who was told that he’s never walk unassisted again due to injuries during the Gulf War. Over weight, knee braces, cane, etc. were his encumbrances in life. After numerous doctors and instructors giving him little or no hope, there was one person who believed in him. This veteran, Arthur Boorman, persevered and overcame his obstacles.
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.” Romans 5:3.
Then, on a lighter side, yesterday my mom and I went shopping. (A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.) I’ve been searching for about a year and a half for some new silverware. Where do those spoons go? Anyhow, being the bargain shopper that I am, after over a year of scanning the shelves, I persevered and made a purchased a 65 piece set of new silverware for a great price. Success!
Finally, my Saturday evening was quiet. Holly was with friends, Cole was staying away at a friend’s house, Tim was fishing on the east coast, and so it was just me and Hunter at home. I enthusiastically asked Hunter, “Do you want to watch a movie with me?” Hmmmm, his reply was, “No.” Not the mother/son evening I would have wanted, but I get it. A FIFA X-box game beat me out. So it was movie time for just one.
I inspected all the romance/girlie movies that were On Demand. I came across one that I thought, “Yes, sounds like a movie for me, but the title sounds a bit cheesy.” I continued searching for a movie, but ended up returning to the movie with the long title and four stars beside it. What caught my eye were two things: “Based on a true story” and “Executive Producer: God”.
I’ve always admired people’s testimonies that were drastic changes in their life. This story was about a former drug trafficker/music producer who fell in love with a Christian girl, and the personal struggles he endured in his life before surrendering his life to God.
The title of the movie was, “I’m in love with a church girl” . (I told you the title was a bit cheesy. But it caught my eye didn’t it?)
After watching the movie I was curious to find out more about the real Gally Molina and how true this movie truly was. I watch an interview he did with The 700 Club, read an article a reporter wrote about him, and other “stalking” searches.
I told my Sunday school girls about the movie, and even did a movie day with all three of my children after church. Of course they were thrilled (haha) to watch it, but I’m sure that some of the relationship examples, confidence in God that “the church girl”, Vanessa, displayed, and the perseverance of a man’s search to know God will settle in their hearts and minds.
The second definition of perseverance from dictionary.com is: Continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation. I believe that Gally found the theological definition of perseverance. He is a man saved by grace and will spend eternity with Christ.
So when you are feeling discouraged, facing difficulties, or have obstacles to overcome, persevere.
I love the verses that follow verse three in Romans 5. Let’s put it all together and feel the love that God has poured over us through His word:
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5
I pray God’s abundant love and blessings for y’all.
Some of the familiar actors in the movie mentioned are:
- Adrienne Bailon (The Cheetah Girls)
- Jeff “Ja Rule” Atkins (The Fast and The Furious)
- Toby Mac
- Martin Kove (The Karate Kid)
- Michael Madsen (Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs)
- Stephen Baldwin (The Usual Suspects)
- Vincent Pastore (The Sapranos)
