Gracious Persistence

Every morning, I am awake with a new thought, or my morning routine produces something I want to share. (This answers a prayer I prayed over two years ago!) This morning, my thought came from this routine. It’s not overly critical what I do when I start the day, as it’s as unique to me as yours is to you.

But this morning…a phrase popped off the screen of a LinkedIn source I follow, and it was talking about a woman who needed some cancer medication, but it was hard to receive as it was in short supply. She was told it may take more than three months for her to start receiving this life-changing and potentially life-saving medication.

What would you do? What could she do? She started a social campaign to put her needs in front of doctors and drug companies, she went to an annual meeting of those who fought cancers, of which hers was one of them, and she finally found someone who would get her connected! Within two weeks, the drugs were available….

She made this declaration. “Gracious Persistence pays off!” [Source]

Immediately, I think of all the times I’ve persisted and not been gracious. Around me, I see people constantly badgering (you must know what it means to be a Badger!) in obnoxious ways to get something they want or think they need. If anyone should be forceful, this woman had the right to focus her energy! Positively or negatively. Whatever it takes. Get’er done! These were life-saving chemotherapy drugs she needed to survive!

Instead of giving a negative response, she chose to be Gracious. And Persistent. And it paid off!

Here’s my thought today.

How often have we stalked into a place of business and demanded our needs be met, demanding someone be fired, or we would spout our position to anyone and everyone?

I’ve taken friends to my quaint little enjoyable dining place, and I cannot tell you how often I have experienced their negativity roll off their person as they complain about the service, the food, or the lack of attention paid to their needs. I’ve watched their grimaces and heard their complaints about what I just take in stride.

I realize something. Many do not know how to be gracious!

Have you ever tried to chase down a fly with a “swatter” only to have that fly elude you quicker than you can blink? How do you catch and destroy this pest? Well, draw them with something they like, and you have them right where you want them! Then do what you want with them.

I think about that woman of scripture who had an “issue” of blood. She had been to every doctor to no avail. Her resources were drained dry. Perhaps she was at the end of her rope. Wits end! Her condition had persisted for twelve years! She hears Jesus is coming, so she plans her actions! (Mark 5:25-34) Maybe she was too weak to stand before Jesus and not be pushed to the side by the crowds, so she approached from behind. I can see her scrabbling past the crowds, around the thronged mob, and she touches his robe.

Healed!

Jesus was on his way to another miracle.

Jairus, a ruler in the synagogue, pleaded for his daughter’s healing. Considering that the religious leaders of the day were against the movement that Jesus had begun, this leader stooped and yielded his need to perhaps the only salvation his little girl would find: Jesus. Can you hear it in his voice? The desperation? I have a need! There is no demanding voice, only a plead. I have a need!

“My little daughter lies at the point of death.
Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” 
(Mark 5:23, NKJV)

It was on the path to Jairus’s house that this unnamed need reached through the crowds and touched him. Think about it. There was no protest march or shouting! You do not need negative publicity on the social front! There was no threat to anyone’s livelihood. Just a faithful statement and some gracious persistence.

For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”
(Mark 5:28 NKJV)

If only...

She has spent everything over the past twelve years. What more can she do? Her Faith produces her Persistence. Maybe this is the key. “Without Faith, it is impossible to God” (Hebrews 11:6). Persistence without Faith is probably where the marchers and blockaders come from. They feel it will be in their loudness and numbers that they can wear down the opposition. Jesus teaches a better way.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying,
“Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said,
“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
(Matthew 18:1-6 NKJV)

Hold the presses!

Did you get this? “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin…” Who’s a little one? Anyone who becomes a child and humbles themselves as a child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. To come to Jesus, you have to become a child! So, do not cause another “child” to sin, as that is a Child of God!

Catch it? Your response to your situation must be such that it does not cause a child of God to sin! I can extend that thought to anyone and make it my practice to approach my needs with Graciousness! Learning to be Gracious in my Persistence, whether correcting wrong or getting what I need, is a blessing!! I do not need to shout them down, back them into a corner, or cower them under my gaze!

Persistent with Grace!

Back to the woman. Jesus stops. “Who touched me?” Jesus, look at the crowds! Everyone is jostling for position. Jesus, we have a hard time keeping them away! Of course, someone touched you! Our job is an impossibility!

It’s confession time!

With fear and trembling, the woman knelt before him and told her story. All the while, Jairus is probably fearing the worst! I can imagine him pleading under his breath and in his heart. Please, Jesus. Can we go now?

Jesus speaks words of wholeness to the woman, which is more than the simple healing she had just received!

And He said to her,
“Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
(Mark 5:34 NKJV)

I wrote about this recently [Source] without knowing I would venture down this path today! There are greater works to be done than just the act of healing! Oh, to be “well” today! Whole! Protected!

You see. I think it was her Gracious Persistence! It was fortuitous that Jesus was nearby, but she was showing her persistence by visiting so many doctors of the day! I need to find a solution! I want to be healed!

Have you ever watched a weed grow where nothing else will? All it takes is a crack in the wall, a hint of moisture, and a sliver of dirt, and it will persistently grow where you might not want it to.

How Do You Look At Persistence?

Persistence doesn’t have to be negative; rather, it needs to be tenacious. It means pushing through all the obstacles and reaching the goal. Do you have the Persistence and Grace to keep striving?

Meanwhile, some from Jairus’s house arrive, “Don’t trouble Jesus anymore. Your daughter is dead.”

Listen. Can you imagine perhaps how this woman felt? I can feel that she may think it’s her fault. We do not have scripture to back up this thought, but I can imagine her Faith so big that she’s ready to be persistent about the young girl’s need! You may think it’s a dead-end path, but the fact that you stepped out on a need, and approached Jesus even when your religious family disagreed with who he was, Jesus is not finished with your need!

“Do not be afraid; only believe! This child is not dead, but sleeping! Little girl, I say to you, arise!” What you believe is dead and has no chance needs to have Jesus factored into the equation!

Whose report will you believe? (Isaiah 53:1, Philippians 4:8)

Persistence pays off.

Maybe not just now, but it’s coming! Just be Gracious about your search for what you need! Remember this: being gracious about your persistence gets Jesus’ attention!

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