John Ortberg ( If You Want to Walk on Water . . . ) relates this response by Abba Anthony, one of the Desert Fathers, when he was asked how a person would be able to please God. The first two pieces of advice Abba Anthony gave would not surprise practicing Christians- always keep your focus on God’s presence and always obey God’s Word. The third was quite unexpected: “Whenever you find yourself- do not easily leave.”
Pastor Ortberg adds, “Growth happens when you seek or exert control where you are able to rather than giving up in difficult circumstances. It happens when you decide to be wholly faithful in situations that you do not like and cannot understand.”
When God partners with you, resilient endurance will produce transformational growth.
