By Tanya Jolliffe
For a few years in high school, I worked a summer job not uncommon for teens living in the Midwest. I detasseled corn by hand. For those unfamiliar with this age-old job, detasseling corn removes the pollen-producing flowers, the tassel, from the tops of corn (maize) plants and places them on the ground. The purpose is for pollination control when a field contains two varieties of corn.
For a teen, it was great money for a few weeks of work, but when the corn is ready for detasseling, the miles of rows require many long, hot, and dirty work hours. One year, I took on contracting acreage to be detasseled each day. It paid more because it needed trustworthy people to complete each field with little oversight. I worked with my cousin, who was also a sports teammate that I knew to have a similar work ethic. Most days, we were on target with the field size we contracted and could efficiently complete it before sundown and then receive a new field assignment the next day.
However, the conditions became highly unfavorable on one particular day, leaving us in doubt regarding our abilities. The storm overnight had left the field a muddy mess. The ninety-degree humid weather required numerous periods for rest and hydration. As we trudged up and down the rows, our legs getting heavier and heavier, there seemed no end in sight. We were exhausted and worn out and didn’t think we could complete the task. We decided to go home for dinner and rest before returning to complete the field, hoping to finish before sundown. As the sun set late that evening, we took pride in knowing the field had not beaten us. Perseverance had won the day.
I have remembered that experience many times since. During volleyball, when my legs were so sore that it hurt to sit down or stand up, or when I sat up with a baby that didn’t want to go to sleep, no matter how exhausted I was. Scripture teaches us there is a blessing in perseverance. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12 ESV).
Learning to persevere helps us develop sanctifying character. “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5 ESV).
Life seems complicated now, and the trials remind me of those endless rows of corn. But scripture provides essential reminders to help us persevere. “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in the due season, we will reap if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 ESV). “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually” (I Chronicles 16:11 ESV)! “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13 ESV).
So keep going. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12 ESV). “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6 ESV). “But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:15 ESV).
As you await the end of the trial, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV). “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV). “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 ESV).
Remember, you can do it because you can do everything through him who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13 ESV). “Hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23 ESV). “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands” (Psalm 138:8 ESV). Continually, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11 ESV). Persevere.
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