Dig

Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes patiently unearth an Anglo-Saxon burial ship, despite leaving their emotions interred, in the brilliantly understated Netflix movie, The Dig. This distinctively English drama is full of intelligence, sensitivity, restraint and cultural charm. Passions mostly stay buried, and the movie is perplexingly structured in not answering the questions first posed. Despite this, nothing dents our engagement with all the resulting texture, enquiry and landscape. The poetic detail and unnamed layers are exquisitely beautiful because ordinarily, I’m not much about burial mounds, archaeologists and the possibility of historic discoveries!

Perseverance invites us to stay focused on the good during difficult times. It compels us into a virtuous life especially when times are unrelentingly tough. When we persevere we are strengthened by God’s gifts of habitual grace. In a life of faith, we never face this alone.

We are being reordered by the straight-talking wisdom of James in our Sunday church life. James resets difficult as purposeful, embracing our lack in the light of God’s abundance and signposts us to plenty of resources for wisdom walking. We can “consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything!” This is a substantial life equation for our living. James states that perseverance is the product of faith being tested with many trials. While nobody likes being challenged, James says to “consider it pure joy,” because perseverance makes a soul “mature and complete.” This is the wisdom way for you and for me.

God does not operate in the accidental but with loving purpose. God has given us the ability to persevere by responding to struggles with the confidence that He knows, plans and directs all things to the good. He is lovingly purposeful and we’re invited to persevere in this.within this life revealed. Augustine says it comfortingly: "In God, we receive not only the possibility of persevering but perseverance itself."

Its in this determined godly life that we know the joy that comes by faith. For only faith can produce perseverance. What is faith then? Faith is trusting in God whatever you are facing or feeling! God is enduringly near. You are seen, known and loved. Rejoice when you persevere. Don’t take trials as an offence. Embrace God’s purpose even in the struggle. Be joyful at the opportunity to prove that God is almighty, all-knowing, and our enough.

Perseverance is the frame of mind and character which persists in doing what is right even though there are difficulties, suffering, and sorrows. Perseverance is the commitment to endure in the short-term with the wisdom-sight of glory assured up ahead. A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its perseverance. Perseverance is faith, hope and love, doggedly turning up. Perseverance partners with patience because of eternity, our struggles and suffering are light and momentary. 

We desperately need patience to persist in the stewardship of what God has given to each of us. A true commitment to Jesus is demonstrated through persevering over the long haul. A daily invitation into ‘a long obedience in the same direction!’ Hebrews 3:6 affirms that we must maintain our hope in Jesus, holding firmly to the confidence that He will do what He says He is going to do. And that’s why our everyday life matters.

Every encounter and every situation is an opportunity for perseverance, trust and growth. I challenge you to apply perseverance to your life and in all associated choices: tracking the fruit following in the days to come. Be saturated in the Word of God. Ask for God’s help in this: “pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus!” 

We may understandably want an easier way, a kinder path or less discomfort in our days. But this is the dig of our lives. The messy, staining, joyful effort of our calling. Consistent faithfulness and godly perseverance will mark us indelibly. Galatians 6:9 beckons us to: “not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart!”

Reward comes on the other side of not losing heart.

The dig will always be rewarded.

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