Kaitlyn tried all day to get through to the executives of the company that had just let her go, without success. She had all her records, and she knew she had been fired without cause. Unemployment was an option, but not one Kaitlyn would pursue. She had a job or had had one, and she was good at it. All of her performance reviews showed it. The company was growing, and she knew that part of that growth was because of her commitment, ideas, and follow-through. But now, apparently, she was at a dead-end, and it was late.
Desperation
As she sat in her apartment that she now couldn’t afford, she took a deep breath in and let it slowly out, trying to clear her head. As her frustration lessened, she remembered that an acquaintance of hers from college had been pre-law. She wondered if he had followed through and got his law degree. Maybe he was a lawyer that she could talk to about this. Chances were slim, but she picked up her laptop and began to search. She remembered his name, but they hadn’t been close, so that was about it. After about an hour on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, she found him. He was obviously older, but his looks were the same. He was a lawyer, one who had just taken a seat as a judge. Would that be good or bad? She didn’t know, but she picked up her cell phone and entered the number. It was late, but she needed to pursue this.
Persistence
After one ring, she got his voicemail. She winced and left a message. Not the result she wanted. She called again, fully expecting to get redirected. Two rings this time, and then a man’s voice answered.
“Steve, this is Kaitlyn, from school. I need some help.”
“Who?” Steve replied, “and this is a late hour to be calling me. How did you get my number?”
“We had a couple gen ed classes together at State, you … but that’s not important. What is important is I need help, and I think you can help me.” Steve hung up.
Kaitlyn swore and redialed. No answer. She dialed again.
Steve answered, “Kathy, or whatever your name is, please stop calling. I don’t remember you, and even if I did, I doubt I could or would help you. Normal people don’t call at this time of night.”
“It’s Kaitlyn, and you need to hear me out. I was just fired for no reason. I know you did corporate law before you became a judge. You can help me.” Steve hung up again.
Steeling her jaw, Kaitlyn called again. Steve ignored the call. She called back, and once again, Steve ignored her. Kaitlyn stopped for a moment to think. Steve was thinking too. Maybe the only way to get rid of this Katy person, whoever she was, was to listen to her story and see what he could do, though he was sure it would be nothing.
Different Perspective
You recognize this story, right?
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”
And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Luke 18:1-8.
Same Message
We took some liberties here to update the account, but you get the message, never give up. If you are following where God is leading you, and the way gets hard, and it will don’t give up, keep at it and keep expecting God to come through. He is a good father, and he put you on this path in the first place. Delays are often related to timing, specific direction, or growth needed on our part.
So, no matter what roadblocks or detours you are facing today as you pursue obedience, persevere. The apostle Paul tells believers in Romans 5:3-5 that what we suffer grows perseverance in us and perseverance leads to character, and character to hope. That hope will not disappoint us because we know that God loves us. He has given us his Holy Spirit to fill our own hearts with his love.