The word perseverance implies both uncertainty and positive expectation. One experiences a situation of adversity but still keeps the hope to reach one’s goal or objective. But the waiting time before reaching one’s goal causes suffering, sometimes to the point of giving up.

Taken in a theological or biblical context, the concept of perseverance is closely linked to the life of the Church and that of individual Christians facing all kinds of trials in their lives, as they witness to the coming of the Kingdom of God. This is expressed in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians 3:13: “Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before”, that is the Kingdom of God. 

Despite all kinds of turmoil, Christian believers persevere in their faith waiting for the accomplishment of the Kingdom of God in which they will, at last, celebrate God’s peace and grace in its fullness. 

In their pilgrimage in this troubled world, the Holy Spirit enables Christians to anticipate the joyful life of the Kingdom of God which is present now and yet to come. The anticipation of that joyful life of God’s Kingdom is the source of strength for their perseverance. Jesus Christ compared the Kingdom of God with a grain of mustard seed which is small but later becomes a large tree. Thus, the mustard seed is a tree in the process of growing. The Kingdom of God was present in Jesus Christ but when he taught about it, his listeners could not grasp it because it was still small in their hearts. But even though it was still small, the Holy Spirit helped them persevere in their hope to experience it once it fully grows. The Apostle Paul also expressed this when he said: “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known” (1Cor. 13:12). Paul saw dimly and knew only partially. But this motivated him to persevere in preaching the Gospel, despite all kinds of hardship. 

As they persevere in the carrying on of the ministry of Jesus Christ, Christians are working for the growth of the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God. When they persevere in the proclamation of the gospel, the saving Word of Jesus, they are planting seeds from which the Kingdom of God will grow. It is hard work that requires perseverance and calls people to unite and work together. That is why, despite his great commitment to work for the Kingdom of God, the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, recognized that success can only be achieved by joining efforts. He says: “I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase” (1 Cor.3:6). Whatever we can do, God is the one who possesses the secret for us to persevere and who gives us the power that allows our toil, not to be in vain, but to bear fruits.

The disciples of Christ as well as many others who chose to follow Jesus Christ went through great temptation and were even put to death. Beginning with Jesus Christ himself in whom the history of the Christian mission is rooted, God’s mission is a succession of witnessing people who experience all kinds of suffering. That is why in his epistle, James admonishes believers to be perseverant. He says: “Blessed is anyone who endures trials and temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

Sometimes, the magnitude of the suffering brings even committed Christians to undervalue their Christian engagement. They think that whatever they do is not big enough in the eyes of God. But God recognizes whatever we do wholeheartedly for his glory, just like Jesus Christ acknowledged the small offering of the widow, as we see it in the Gospel according to Mark 12:41-45. She did not mind giving the little she had in the midst of those who gave much more from their riches. She gave within the limit of her financial capacity. Her offering was small as the mustard seed, but God let it grow into a big act of faith that makes of her a role model for Christians until today. She was poor but because of her perseverance in her faith, she gave what she had, though it was small.