Matthew 24:1-22 — “Stay with It!”

“In the confusion, lying preachers will come forward and deceive a lot of people. For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in—nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes.

“Staying with it—that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved. All during this time, the good news—the Message of the kingdom—will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come. (Matthew 24: 11-14, TM)

I was on the Jr. High debate squad for a year and then we moved and I stopped doing debate.  I decided not to be part of high school band after we moved my senior in high school.  I wasn’t very good.  I had numerous majors in college.  I more than one boyfriend in my twenties.  I moved frequently.  It seemed that I was destined to change things up more often than not and not stick with something for the long hall.

Now to be clear, I did have and do lifelong friends.  When I moved, it was usually within the same area and most of my majors were within the same area of study.  Before my last move I lived in the same place over 15 years.  I have been married to a wonderful man for almost ten years.

Sticking with things can be challenging, especially when we don’t feel we are good at a thing, but sometimes, hopefully when love is involved and as we mature, we are able to stick with things even when they are difficult.  This is what God asks us to do; to stick by God, through it all.

– Pastor Nancy Tuma, First Presbyterian Church, Falls City, NE, and First Presbyterian Church, Hiawatha, KS