Lessons in Perseverance From a Truck-Driver

In 1954 a singer was fired from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville after one performance. The manager told him, “You’re going nowhere son. Go back to driving a truck.”

Has anyone told you to “go back to driving a truck” on a FR appointment?

The root word for persevere in the New Testament is “meno—to stay.” When Peter was locked out of a prayer meeting, Acts 12:16 says, “Peter continued (meno) knocking.” Meno is also used in John 15:5 to “abide” in Christ. Stay, don’t leave.

But let’s understand perseverance correctly. 

For example, if you are 0 for 3 in securing appointments with three different people, stop! Something is wrong. Review your phone script with your funding coach or supervisor. Doing the same thing over and over with the same results is not perseverance—it’s stupidity.

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.”

“In due time”—be patient. We have several faithful giving partners today who said no when I asked them.

Recently my Kenyan co-worker Timm tried four times to connect with an old friend, but no response. Finally the guy texted. He had been out of the country, but told Timm he would be glad to meet when he returned to Kenya.

Timm said, “I’m glad I persevered! Carol and I have agreed to make at least five attempts before we stop.”

Besides Timm, here are others who persevered:

• Beethoven’s violin teacher called him “hopeless.”

• Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper for “lacking ideas.”

And that Nashville singer who was told to go back to driving a truck…Elvis Presley! If Elvis can persevere—you can persevere!

“In due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.”