KEEP ON KEEPING ON

For most of us with the dawning of a new year comes a sense of hope, excitement, and no doubt a tinge of apprehension. Will dreams be fulfilled? Targets met? With this year bring joy or disappointment? Will doors open up? Will lives be changed?
 
We all want to see God at work. I long to be surprised by God, overwhelmed as I see him at work in my life and in the lives of people around me. How though, can we ensure that 2010 is a year in which we grow and develop? I've come to the conclusion that a key, is perseverance; keeping on keeping on. If 2010 was a year of faithfulness, commitment, discipline (I know many of us hate this word, but to excel in anything we need disciplines - actually great joy is found in discipline), patience and graft then I genuinely believe we'll find ourselves amazed at the wonderful things happening all around us.
 
I find in my life I'm too quick to expect instant transformation. I want to write an amazing song, so sit down with a guitar. If nothing has come to me in 30 minutes, I feel cross and frustrated. I want to learn to listen to the voice of God but give up if I hear nothing after a few days of trying. 
 
I was fascinated to read about the story of the band Snow Patrol. Formed in Dundee, Scotland in 1994 it wasn't until 2003 that they achieved mainstream success with the album 'Final Straw.' In 2006 they exploded worldwide with the massive hit 'Chasing Cars.' People are quick to forget the 9 years of wilderness the band lived through - not a whiff of recognition, years of disappointment. 
 
As lead singer and songwriter Gary Lightbody writes, 'We had years of driving around in a crap van, doing gigs in front of 30 or 40 people, all five of us sleeping on the living room floor of whoever would have us.' For Snow Patrol their journey involved perseverance - keeping on keeping on. Not giving up after another set back. Their worldwide success in many ways was formed and shaped in those years of wilderness.
 
I feel challenged. Would I be willing to keep plugging away that long for a dream of mine? To be honest I'm not sure - 9 years is a long time. There is so much I want to see happen in my life, my family, my church, this nation and this world. The older I get the quicker I am to realise it's not going to happen over night. It will ultimately be the response to many people faithfully following God, serving, giving and pressing on. Perhaps for many of us it will be years in the seeming wilderness before we see the breakthrough we long for - our churches exploding in worship, a friend coming to faith, the open door we've prayed for. Let's not give up too early. Let's keep on running and be expectant for God to do great things. 
 
"Attempt great things for God. Expect great things from God." William Carey