A week last fall, relaxing at a timeshare in Palm Desert. A day, Wednesday, kicking back at the pool, as I read while Sheila floated. A nap in the room completed the laziness, but we anticipated Happy Hour at our favored Trilussa. But when we found it jammed, another disappointed diner suggested nearby Enzo, so off we went. Suspiciously the parking lot had just one car, and the worker who came out of the closed café recommended O’Caines Irish Pub. A longer journey, but this third time was a charm, and we enjoyed a tasty burger and Guinness’ stout. Several pictures of John Jameson, the founder of Jameson’s Irish Whiskey, the world’s best seller, graced the place and intrigued me.
He’s a relative, mom’s maiden name was Jameson, and we’ve traced back a common heritage to Alloa, Scotland, where Alexander Jameson moved to from Dublin, and where much later John left for Dublin to start distilling. But it took some tenacity in our search to find an available Happy Hour place.
Our spiritual life also involves tenacity. I mentioned this event in a Facebook post, and Wayne Kempton responded with an example of God’s tenacity. In Psalm 136, every of its 26 verses end with, “His love endures forever.” Most verses begin with giving thanks to God, or remembering what gifts we have, or how in hard times he’s been there, and like a responsive reading, then comes a separate sentence: “His love endures forever.” God loves us tenaciously, in good times and bad, he pursues us and meets our needs.
We shouldn’t be surprised that it likewise takes tenacity to find and stay with him, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Other translations use diligently, or sincerely. Faith is not merely a passive response to God’s love, but an active searching for him. Remember Jesus’ parable, that the kingdom of God is like finding pearl of great price, and giving up all else to gain it (Matthew 13:45-46)? Why? Knowing God intimately has more value than anything else in life. It takes effort to find, and to keep it, according to the apostle Paul.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). We get tired of doing the right thing. Of serving him. Of sacrificing. But when we endure, when we refuse to give up, we reap the harvest in this life of knowing him, and of being with him for eternity in heaven. That’s worth being tenacious. And much better to have tenacity for God than a good Happy Hour spot.
Kick Starting the Application
What most brings spiritual discouragement to you? What importance does that issue have for you? Do you often keep in mind the overwhelming joy of knowing God? How can you increase your spiritual tenacity?