perseverance

Seth Godin's blog on Superheroes makes me think of my favorite commercial of all time ... the original Apple "Think Different" ad:

As I look at the faces in the commercial, Godin's words resonate in a whole new way, although, not in a way that I like:

Superheroes don't have a look, but they definitely have an attitude. They're restless and impatient, but, here's the cool paradox, they're also calm and patient. Patient because they realize that change takes a while. Patient because they understand that if it's worth doing, it's worth getting through the Dip. Impatient and restless, though, because they refuse to accept the status quo. Most of the time, of course, these can't co-exist.

I have a personality that has no issue being discontent with the status quo. It doesn't matter what it is, I'm always wanting something better, something greener, something more significant. That's why the Apple ad grabs me ... it feeds that part of who I am.

And yet, as I see the faces in the video and think about what many of those men and women went through to accomplish what they did, I realize that my natural discontent is nothing more than grumbling and ultimately bitterness if I don't learn the other side of the paradox that Godin identifies ... patience, or, and perhaps more important, perseverance.

So, when it comes to ministry, do I dare pray that I develop the other side of the coin? Do I dare pray for patience? Do I dare not?