From the Regional Team  

Revd Andy Twilley

SEBA Regional Minister 

You can read Andy's reflection below, watch on YouTube or listen to the podcast.

It’s really good when you are able to have a few laughs with your colleagues. That was certainly the case when my car recently passed its 200,000-mile milestone. Maybe at that stage, every journey feels like a small act of faith - and every unexpected noise prompts a quick prayer!
Well… when my colleagues realised the car didn’t have a name, 'Perseverance' was immediately suggested: a great name which I happily accepted, although amended it to Percy for short.  Percy may have a few rattles and require a little more encouragement than he once did, but he keeps going.

That milestone is a light-hearted reminder that perseverance is rarely glamorous: it is about continuing faithfully, one mile at a time. And my mind turned to those words in Hebrews where we are exhorted to, “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:23–24
 
Perseverance is so challenging when the journey feels long or the outcome is uncertain. Yet this Scripture reminds us that the key to keeping going is to hold firmly to hope. Perseverance begins by remembering that our confidence rests not in the changing circumstances before us but in the faithfulness of God.
 
However, this verse reminds us of another key principle which flows from being part of God’s family: we don’t walk alone. Here the writer is encouraging us to never forget… as the song says: “We’re all in this together”.  We’re called to encourage one another, strengthen the weary and remain faithful… together.
 
This call to “consider one another” asks us to notice who may be tired, discouraged or isolated. Genuine encouragement begins with listening, being present and responding with compassion rather than waiting for someone to ask for help. Maybe even as you hear these words a person comes to mind. So what could encouragement look like? Maybe simply a kind word, a message, a prayer, a gift or a simple act of support.  Such acts could well give someone the courage they need to take the next step and persevere.
 
So don’t give up. Let’s commit ourselves to persevering even when the going is tough. And at the same time, let’s look beyond our own struggles, staying alert to opportunities to build one another up. And as we encourage each other in faith, hope and love, I pray we will all persevere with renewed strength, knowing that God is present with us throughout the journey.