Perseverance

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Once upon a time, there was a princess who became a pauper. Having known and grown up in the royal kingdom, the princess was aware of all she had and was eager to please the King. She lived her life alongside her prince and son and the happy family was expecting another child. One day, the royal doctor brought news to the family that this new baby was not well. Despite the doctor’s news, the family was sure that the King could heal the child. The day of birth came and even though they were trusting and expecting a miracle, they were only able to keep their baby for a short hour. The family, confident that the King still loved them, knew that even though their experience had changed, the King had not.

Fast forward some and the princess, without realizing it, was no longer eager to please the King. She met her responsibilities but no longer pursued him with great fervor. Quickly, she began to doubt her place in the royal palace, and it no longer felt like home, so she changed her clothes and went out into the land searching. She found some paupers along the road that seemed like they were having fun. They didn’t really know the King so the princess didn’t have to talk about him. It was easy to be with them. She began to believe the way the paupers did – that the King was just off in his palace and didn’t really affect their day to day life. Before she knew it, she identified herself as a pauper who was faking her role as princess and she needed to escape for good.

My name is Nicci Elliott and the title of this talk is Perseverance.

Persevereance is defined as a continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failures, and opposition. It is being steadfast in the face of all things.

Unfortunately for all of us, this means that we must first be in the middle of trials to persevere. Raise your hand if you have something that you’ve been struggling with – family, finances, your faith, your work, your kids, your identity? You see, we are guaranteed to have trials in life and living in the Palace of God’s Kingdom doesn’t keep us from it. Perseverance is rarely something we notice in the midst of doing it. Most of the time while you’re preserving, all you can see is the trial you’re in. Additionally, we truly cannot persevere on our own.

A better life is completely possible. What we have all experienced in this 3 day weekend we CAN continue to experience in real life. Maybe not the constant food or the stress-free nature of not having to worry about what time it is and who is getting the kids where, but the experiences you’ve had with God can be had every single day no matter where you are. The key is maintaining relationship with Christ and with others.

Oftentimes, we look for ways to make or lives “secure” or “safe”, similar to setting up a home security system. But there’s a difference between feeling safe and truly being secure. Think of it like this – you were walking through Sam’s club and a sales guy was there by the jewelry counter, only instead of phones he was selling home security systems. The world IS changing a lot and there are plenty of things that can harm us. Additionally you want to keep your kids safe. You end up buying the best system they have. People come to install it and show you how it works. You even have a sign in your yard. Now, that would make you feel pretty secure, right?

But one of two things could happen. On one hand, you could get lazy or even trusting and not even set your alarm. It makes you feel secure. That sign will keep people away. OR what good does an alarm system do when the danger is already living inside with you? Jesus is our only true security. It is in living with him that we have our system set up. It is in talking with him and keeping that point of connection that we keep our system active. It is in relying on him and trusting in him and letting the Holy Spirit live within us that keeps that internal danger away too.

Now, if you didn’t already figure it out, I was the princess in that story. At the time we had our son, Warren, I WAS secure and truly safe within the walls of the “Palace” of my relationship with God. The relationship didn’t keep me from physical harm and pain – because the world is a broken and sinful place. Without pain, grief, and challenges, we are missing the opportunity to grow closer to God and know and show His kingdom more to those around us. However, the palace did keep ME secure in my inheritance and in my eternal security. Notice how I was the one that chose to leave because of the lies I believed!

Obviously given that I’m standing in front of you, the story didn’t end there. In my time as a pauper, I was drinking, trying things I wouldn’t have, and even had an affair. I was truly in a place where I wanted to escape my life as a princess, as a wife, and even as a mother and move somewhere no one knew me. Obviously I wasn’t convinced I loved my husband, or God… as hard as it is to admit, I remember not even being sure if I loved my son.

Thankfully, I have some dear friends. You see, in addition to Christ, we need connection with Kingdom friends to truly persevere in life. In my story, all had fallen apart. My husband and I were amidst discussions on what to do. We were both broken and hurting from our loss and we weren’t at all connected, but we did our best to fake it to the world. Our very best friend was in one weekend and we were trying our hardest to make things seem normal – and either we did a poor job or he just knows us that well. I think it’s a little of both. Either way, he called us out. I was afraid to share. I was full of shame and regret but not seeing a way out. I expected that once he knew, he would take Jarrod’s “Side” and would no longer be a friend to me. I was mistaken. Once Jarrod shared with our friend what had happened, he immediately called me. His first words were this – “I love you sister” Knowing all I had done, this friend chose true Godly love. He did not excuse what I did or where we were, but he held our hand and helped walk us through repentance and restoration and continues to this day to keep us accountable in practical ways.

No battle is won without cost. Not a single person this weekened has promised that with Christ you WON’T have problems.

The Bible says in James 1:2 “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, WHEN you experience various trials,”

James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

John 16:33 “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.””

With the tools you’ve learned this weekend, you have access to stay connected with Christ AND with a community of Kingdom friends as well.

REUNION GROUPS

For successful reunion groups

serious (dealing with eternity)

sincere

discreet

regular

EXPLAIN REUNION GROUP CARD

Prayer

Piety

Study

Action

Inaction - places we failed

Plan

Closing Prayer

MONTHLY GATHERINGS

SERVING EMMAUS

LOCAL CHURCH - this is your primary community - Emmaus is meant to supplement, not replace

FINISH STORY -

My husband pursued Christ for us

Christ drew me back to himself through others (Jarrod/Ryan)

I, like the prodigal son, reentered the gates of the Palace and God came running to celebrate me.

Now fully restored with him (PUT PRINCESS BACK ON!)

Restored with my husband.

have a daughter Eliana (who was my princess inspiration)

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast (perseveres) 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