The Mandalorian is a TV series and a part of the Star Wars enterprise. The main character is a bounty hunter named Din Djarin. Every once in a while he meets up with the Armourer—a lady who offers wisdom and, as her name suggests, makes armour.
During one of their conversations they are talking about the value of persistence. But she provides a corrective: “Persistence without insight will lead to the same outcome.”
That’s a helpful word about discipleship too.
It’s tempting to cherry-pick Bible verses about persistence and conclude that we just need to keep trying and trying and trying.
While that kind of effort is commendable, the kind of perseverance that truly moves you forward is based on a knowledge about (and reverence for) God. Proverbs 9:10 tells us that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…” That’s where it starts. Hard work without clear thinking usually results in tail-chasing.
Hard work is good, whether it be at school, when you’re volunteering, at work, raising a family, or working on a special project. But seek spiritual knowledge in the process. Ask questions like:
-What kind of a student does God want me to be?
-How can I contribute at work and be a person of integrity?
-What does a godly household look like?
-How can I use my specific talents for God’s glory?
If you keep banging your head on the wall you might break through—but you might also break your face.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
Notes:
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.
The Up Devotional 