I rarely hear God described as ‘persistent,’ but I’ve lately learned just how persistent he is. On several occasions over the past two years, circumstances have caused me to recall a difficult time from when I was in college. Those recollections unearthed some ugly baggage I’d buried, and I realized God was nudging me to finally deal with it. I eventually reached out to a good friend from that era, and our conversation gave me a healthier perspective and a good start on dumping that baggage. It also impressed me with God’s persistence. He wouldn’t let me ignore the damage of a 50-year-old hurt. 

The Bible describes God as always at work. When his perfect creation was spoiled by sin, he announced a plan for fixing it. He persisted in loving his people through their many rebellions. Jesus persisted in carrying out our rescue through 30 years of everyday human life and 3 years of ministry that included opposition, fickle crowds, hunger, tiredness, and confused, inept disciples. It culminated in torture, pain and death. His resurrection proclaimed his victory, but his work continued. As Luke describes it in Acts 1:1, Jesus “began” his work in the work described in his Gospel. That’s Luke’s way of telling us Jesus continued his work through the church as related in the book of Acts. And Jesus continues that work today.    

The work of salvation was completed by Jesus on the cross. “It is finished!” he cried (John 19:30). That work is done. Our sins are forgiven; our rescue is complete. But like God’s people of old, our hearts can be stubborn. Cold. Broken. Jesus is persistent. He is the Good Shepherd, continually seeking the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7). 

Our hearts still need work.

Even when by faith we accept his free gifts, even when we love and serve him, our hearts still need work. And Jesus is persistently at work there, too, shaping us into the people he designed us to be: more loving, more generous, and, as I am learning, more forgiving. Submitting to his work not only enables us to be more like him and more effective in his work, but it also, as I am also experiencing, heals pain, removes shame, and brings joy and peace.

God is persistent. He deals with the brokenness in us and around us primarily by working on the human heart. As we become more open to his work in our own hearts, we become more of a tool that he can use in his work on the hearts of others. 

What part of your heart is Jesus working on now?

Or in what part might you invite him in?

Who might need or want to hear what Jesus has done for you?