Boundless Daily: Day 33 - The Power of Persistence
- Boundless Team
- Mar 12
- 5 min read
Welcome to Day 33.
If you’ve been following along with us since Day 1, give yourself a moment to breathe and acknowledge that. You’re still here. You’re still showing up.
In the world of habit-building and spiritual growth, there’s something nicknamed the “Day 30 wall.” It’s that moment when the initial excitement of a new journey has worn off. The "new car smell" of your resolution has faded. Maybe the morning devotions feel a little harder to wake up for, or the prayers feel a bit more repetitive.
This is where persistence moves from being a nice idea to being a necessary lifeline.
At Boundless Online Church, we talk a lot about meeting Jesus where you are. But we also care deeply about staying with Jesus, even when the path gets dusty. In Memphis, we know a little something about "the scrub": that gritty, hard-working spirit that doesn't quit just because the weather gets humid or the job gets tough.
Today, we are looking at the power of persistence. Not the kind of persistence that relies on your own caffeine-fueled willpower, but the kind that is rooted in the steady, unchanging promises of God.
What is Persistence, Really?
We often confuse persistence with stubbornness. Stubbornness is digging your heels in because you want your own way. Persistence, in a biblical sense, is keeping your eyes on the Prize (Jesus) even when your feet are tired.
The Apostle Paul wrote about this 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."
Notice he doesn't say "if you feel great." He says "if you do not give up." It’s an action, not a feeling.
For those of you joining us from around the world: maybe you’re working a late-night security shift, or you’re a caregiver who hasn't had a full night’s sleep in weeks: persistence looks like a quiet prayer in the hallway. It looks like opening your Bible app for two minutes when you’d rather just scroll through the news.
Persistence is the "Memphis Scrub" of the soul. It’s the willingness to do the work when nobody is watching and when the rewards feel miles away.
The Roots That Hold
Think about a strong tree standing alone in a massive field. When the storms come: and they always do: that tree doesn't survive because its leaves are pretty. It survives because its roots have gone deep into the soil.
Persistence is the process of growing those roots.
In the Assemblies of God tradition, we believe in the Inspired Truth of the Bible. It is our "rule of conduct." When we persist in reading the Word, even when we don't feel an immediate "goosebump" moment, we are anchoring our roots.
One of our 16 Fundamental Truths focuses on "Sanctification." This is just a big church word for the process of being made more like Jesus. It’s not an overnight transformation. It’s a lifelong journey of persistence. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in us, helping us to walk away from things that hurt us and toward things that heal us.
If you are struggling to stay the course today, remember that the Holy Spirit is described as our Comforter and Helper. You aren't persisting on your own strength. You are persisting on His.
Persistence for the Global Heart
We know that many of our Boundless family members are in places where following Jesus isn't easy.
To the shift worker: We see you. Your "Day 33" might feel like Day 300. God is with you in the breakroom.
To the person in a persecuted area: Your persistence is a light that the darkness cannot put out.
To the disabled or homebound: Your prayers are powerful. Your persistence in faith, despite physical pain, is a testimony that encourages the entire global church.
Sometimes, persistence means using the tools available to us to stay connected. We recently shared a post about 5 unexpected tech tools every modern church should try. These tools aren't just for "show": they are ways for us to keep the conversation with God and each other going, no matter where we are.
When Faith Feels Hard
Let's be honest: faith can feel heavy sometimes.
There are days when God feels silent. There are days when the world feels like it’s falling apart faster than we can pray for it.
The Bible doesn't sugarcoat this. Think about the "persistent widow" in Luke 18. She kept coming to the judge, asking for justice. She didn't stop. Jesus told that story specifically to show us that we should "always pray and not give up."
If you’re at a point where you feel like giving up, take a look at our challenges page. Sometimes, having a specific, small goal can help jumpstart your persistence.
Practical Steps to Keep Going
How do we actually "persist" when we’re exhausted? Here are a few casual tips from our heart to yours:
Lower the Bar, but Don't Quit: If you can’t do a 30-minute Bible study, read one verse. One verse is better than zero verses.
Change Your Environment: If you’re feeling stuck, go for a walk. Look at the sky. Remind yourself that the God who holds the stars is the same God who holds your hand.
Find Your "Why": Why did you start this journey? If it was to find peace, remind yourself that peace is found in the presence of Jesus, not in the absence of trouble.
Connect with Others: Faith was never meant to be a solo sport. Join us online or reach out for prayer.
The Blessed Hope
In the Assemblies of God, we talk about "The Blessed Hope." This is the belief that Jesus is coming back.
This isn't just a theological fact; it’s a reason for persistence. We keep going because we know how the story ends. We know that every tear will be wiped away. We know that justice will prevail.
Persistence is living today in light of that future reality.
If you’ve never made that commitment to follow Jesus, or if you’ve wandered away and want to come back, Day 33 is a perfect day for a new beginning. Jesus isn't looking for perfect people; He’s looking for people who are willing to keep turning back to Him.
He is the one who empowers us to stand strong, like that tree in the field, unshakeable because of where we are planted.
Let’s Keep Walking Together
We are so glad you are part of the Boundless Online Church family. Whether you're here for the digital training or just need a daily word of encouragement, you belong here.
Do you have a story of a time when persistence paid off in your faith? Or maybe you’re in the middle of a "scrub" right now and just need someone to stand with you?
We invite you to ask questions, share your thoughts, and take that next step. You don't have to have it all figured out to keep moving forward.
Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.
Need prayer? Text 1-901-213-7341 (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.
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