Perseverance

Woke up at 10.16 this morning. As I looked out my window, I could not help but notice the clear and beautiful morning. FYI I'm staying in a condominium situated about 15 mins away from my university. From my bedroom, you can't really see much, save the sky, trees, and if you take it a step further, you can see the clear, blue waters of the swimming pool below. Today was rather different in the sense that the weather was not so hot and not so cold, the perfect 'blend' of climate. Birds were chirping ever so merrily. Not too distant was the sound of construction works taking place in the neighbouring area.

Then I checked my phone. Got a message from my dearest mum asking when I'll be going back to JB. Yeah, will be leaving for my hometown tomorrow afternoon by bus. Not sure when I'll be back though.

It's about 2 weeks more before I sit for my first semester exam and I haven't really covered much. I managed to finish reading my Study Guide until Week 2, not sure if that's a lot for one day. Question is, will I be able to finish 13 weeks of lectures, tutorials, syndicates and more in under 2 weeks?? Many of my uni friends are probably thinking and worrying about the same thing. There's so much to cover, it seems almost impossible to do so with lectures on anatomy, pathophysiology, sociology, biochemistry, histology, etc. Furthermore, the Formative OSCE exam that we just had on Tuesday cast more doubt and anxiety into the hearts of many 'meddies'. As humans, we are fallen creatures, full of flaws and imperfections. For some, failure means the end of the world, and they have no one to turn to. For others, they learn from their mistakes and failures, picking themselves up each time they fail, until they succeed. Their secret: they have a source of motivation/inspiration/hope.

Then, I think back and reflect upon myself and how these 'obstacles' affect me. Should I be worried? Where or whom do I run to in times of need? A Bible verse from Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (NIV). This verse practically answers those questions everytime I doubt myself. It gives me a direct solution to all my problems, worries, and fears.

I would like to share an analogy of perseverance and why we should never give up. One man wrote this inspirational story:

One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. 'God', I asked, 'Can you give me one good reason not to quit?' His answer surprised me... 'Look around', He said. 'Do you see the fern and the bamboo?' 'Yes', I replied. 'When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said. 'In year three, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit.' He said.'Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.' He asked me. 'Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots'. 'I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself to others.' He said. 'The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.' 'Your time will come', God said to me. 'You will rise high' 'How high should I rise?' I asked. 'How high will the bamboo rise?' He asked in return.'As high as it can?' I questioned. 'Yes.' He said, 'Give me glory by rising as high as you can.'

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. Never, never, never give up. Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.

Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is, tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

Blessings, ~Tim~