Dear Friends, 

The coffee mug on my desk, which was a Christmas gift from my parents, says on one side, "Pray without ceasing." It's a quote from St. Paul's letter to the first Christians in Thessaloniki, two millennia ago. No doubt, this three-word sentence may have been inspired by the parable Jesus tells in the gospel this weekend and surely Jesus' own parable was inspired by stories like we hear all the way from the book of Genesis. 

So across millennia, transcending time and culture, and even religion, God's people have known the value of persistence and have learned that persistence most certainly has a spiritual value. 

Jacob wrestles through the night, the widow persists against the corrupt judge, and St. Paul boldly tells us we simply must not stop proclaiming God's love to the world no matter the obstacle. The call to justice rings as loudly today as ever. Persistence is a hallmark of a life with God. 

But God intends to be part of every aspect of our life--not just that which pertains to Sundays, or allotted prayer time, or churchy things. Many of us do well in those areas to connect with God. In all relationships, work, money, school, health, and various responsibilities where might we need more of God's presence, wisdom, and assistance? I challenge us not only to persist in prayer, but to persist in inviting God into all aspects of our life and to consider how that might change us and how our lives might form a more seamless witness to God's love in all places we go, to all people we deal with, in all decisions we make. 

Persist in your faith by coming to church this weekend. We will worship together in the chapel while the church dries after the storm - a sign of our own persistence - wind and water will not hold us back! For a woman 175 years ago, persistence was key, and Ms. Gibbs' therefore was able to give us, almost two centuries later, a community of friends, a beautiful campus, final resting places, and eventually two houses of worship and prayer. We gather week after week to keep her momentum, be inspired by her persistence and by inviting God into every part of our lives we will surely be surprised by what can be accomplished through us. In moments of doubt or difficulty, invite God in--persist--and return again and again for rest and nourishment in this holy place. See you here this weekend.

Persist!

Gabe