Perseverance: One big fun, awkward party
In the video for one of my favorite Taylor Swift songs, “Shake It Off,” Taylor is a terrible dancer surrounded by world-class performers. She is hilarious as she bumbles through ballet, streamer dancing, hip-hop moves, and modern dance. In spite of her awkwardness, she is unflustered as she repeatedly sings “shake it off.” By the time she reaches the last chorus, she is flailing about with others like herself—one big fun, awkward party.
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Perseverance is kind of like that. To persevere is to press on, no matter what hard things are in front of us. And yes, that can be difficult and draining. But I believe we are called to persevere without grimacing and complaining, especially when people are watching as we look ungraceful and awkward. It’s also encouraging to remember that others are pressing on through their own hard stuff. (They make great dance partners.)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.”