Key #2 A Vital Key to Breakthrough: Perseverance

My previous blog was about Praying with Faith. That is the first key to seeing breakthroughs in Disciple-Making Movements. Another important key for breakthrough and growth is perseverance. I’ve given it the number two slot in my list of keys because without it, you simply don’t get to multiplication or movement.

When people first hear about the exponentially growing Disciple Making Movements happening around the world, they get excited. Who wouldn’t be? Seriously! If we are serious followers of Christ, we long to see our communities transformed. Our hearts long for thousands to be saved…as quickly as possible. Too often, though, in vision casting, movement advocates fail to tell of the cost involved in launching movements, or of the level of perseverance required.

Perseverance – Lessons from Snoozy

Before we go deeper, let me tell you a story from my childhood that illustrates perseverance.

When I was a kid, growing up in Africa, we had a dachshund (long weiner dog) named Snoozy.  Like most dogs, she loved to play.  My brother and I would take an old sock, tie a knot in it, and dangle it in front of her until she grabbed it in her mouth. Our game of “tug of war” soon began.  If I got the sock away, (and it was hard work to finally do that) Snoozy would lunge after it again.  The game could go on for hours!

What I loved about that dog was no matter how long you played with her, she wouldn’t give in.  She was always ready to give it another try.  Once she got a grip on the sock, she wasn’t letting go.  You could literally pick her up high off the floor. She’d be hanging from the sock she had gripped in her teeth like she was permanently attached.

Perseverance is
a refusal to give up or give in. 

As we pursue discipleship among the unreached, we need that kind of attitude.  It is a major key to releasing Disciple Making Movements.

Hold Tightly To God’s Promises

Hold on tight to the promises God has given you for disciple multiplication. Refuse to let go.  When your God-given dream seems to be slipping through your fingers, you need (like my dog did) to lunge after it and take hold once again. Fight to keep a grip on the dream of seeing a radical multiplication of disciples among the people He has called you to. Press through the obstacles you are facing with His strength.

Paul, who well understood the challenges of starting movements in new places, wrote in his letter to the Philippians about his journey of perseverance. 

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

(Phil. 3:14-NIV)

Focus On The Next Step Forward

My husband and I like to run half marathons together. It’s been a few years now, but we are starting to train for another one now.

Some years ago we were training for an upcoming race.  We had just come back from a ministry trip and we were feeling quite tired.  Waking up that morning I knew we had a long run ahead that day. 18 kilometers was the distance on our training schedule.

It was hard to get out the door that day, but even harder to keep running after we started.  My legs felt like rubber.  Breathing was difficult.  My knees hurt. I didn’t feel like training that day!

15 kilometers into the run, I was ready to quit.  “I think I’m going to be sick,” I told my husband.  I really thought I might pass out right there on the roadside.

With empathy, he asked me, “Do we need to stop and walk?“

“No. Let me keep going.  I can go another little bit,” I said.

I just focused on the next kilometer, and then the next, and then the next.  Pretty soon, I’d made it through that difficult training run and it was behind me.

Sometimes our journey toward a DMM (Disciple Making Movement), with thousands of Jesus followers and multiple generations, feels a bit like that training run.  We get weary and feel worn out.  Progress seems difficult or impossible. The quick results we hoped for aren’t happening, and doing some other kind of ministry begins to look extremely attractive.

3 Things To Do When It’s Hard To Keep Pursuing This Dream

1) Remember your why.

Why did you embrace the goal of a disciple multiplication or a DMM in the first place?

I embraced intentional discipleship and DMMs because I genuinely believe it is the fastest way to impact lostness in the communities of unreached people I love. God has called me to it and I know it.  My embrace of this goal comes from a desperate desire to see the nations worship Jesus. He must receive the glory and worship He deserves. Remembering my WHY helps me keep moving when I feel like quitting.

2) Focus on the next step ahead.

Just do the next action that will take you forward.  Share the gospel with one person.  Learn 10 new words of that difficult language.  Coach one person this week.  Set up one new discipleship training group. You get the idea.

Your next step in the journey may be different from mine or someone else.  That is fine. We all need perseverance, though, to finish the race God called us to.

3) Draw near to Jesus.

He gets how hard this road can be with its many twists and turns. The only way we can persevere is to abide in Him. If you are feeling weary, take a short retreat and connect with the one who loves you. Jesus doesn’t value us any more greatly because we’ve seen amazing fruit. His love is unconditional. Lean into His embrace and just let Him tell you again how much He cares for you.

What If?

Aren’t you glad Paul didn’t give in to weariness and hardship but persevered?  He refused to give up on his calling.  Simple house churches began that later multiplied across Asia Minor and the rest of the world reaching thousands.

What is at stake if you were to stop pursuing the dream of a DMM in your area?   Maybe thousands of people will remain lost.  Maybe whole cities would fail to be transformed. This vision is too important. We can’t afford to quit!

Your breakthrough could be just on the other side of the current obstacle God’s calling you to press through on! Don’t give up and don’t give in. 

What helps you persevere in a multiplication vision?

Share your keys and tips to perseverance in the comments below or on the DMMs Frontier Missions Facebook Group.