PERSEVERANCE 

I saw the dark clouds gathering and threatening as I drove past the tall office building on my left. Seeing no parking lot, I continued down the bust street, pulling into a small park and parking my car there. 

I leapt from the car, insulated bag in hand, and started the walk back to the building. It was a climb on the sidewalk, and then ... the sidewalk ended.  I looked doubtfully up the cliff that looked about 20-30 feet high, looked at the food again, shrugged, and started climbing. 

At the top, I straightened up, brushed myself off, and looked for a door. Nothing was going to stop me from finishing this delivery! (*When I found the door, I also learned there was a parking lot, down two other roads never mentioned on the Google Maps or hinted at by the address.) 

Sometimes life seems that way. One obstacle after another pile up trying to block us from accomplishing a goal, especially if it is a spiritual goal to enrich our Christian lives. Satan can be a storm, bad directions, and a cliff all at once. 

We must be like the US Postal Service Motto - "Neither rain nor heat nor gloom of night shall stay these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." Always ready to fight against evil and continue our journey through life - how can we lose if we have Jesus by our side? 

James 1:2-4: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."