Over a Lifetime

Yesterday was a pretty big day for Arthur Winston. He finally retired from his job as a public transit worker in Los Angeles. And it was also his birthday—his 100th birthday. Winston moved with his family to California from Oklahoma, and in 1924 he was hired by what was then Pacific Electric Railway Co. He left that job in 1928, but he was rehired by them in 1934. The transit company changed its name several times and merged with other companies, but through all the changes Arthur Winston was there. And in three quarters of a century of working with the transit company, Winston missed only one day of work. One day! That back in 1988 when his wife of 65 years died.

Consistency. Endurance. Perseverance. Very little that Arthur Winston did in his job repairing buses was particularly notable. He says, “It wasn't heavy work, that's the main thing. It's fast but not heavy, and I don't mind the work, so that's how I got by.” Not one single thing he did was amazing, but doing it over a lifetime day-in-and-day-out was amazing. That is a lifetime achievement story worthy of note and reward. What reward did Winston receive for his accomplishment? A free lifetime bus pass! Winston says that he is really looking forward to exploring parts of Los Angeles to which he has never been!

How many amazing things have you done in the service of God? Yeah? Me neither. Some people do, you know… but they are too busy doing them to read my silly little blog! What God calls us all to is faithfulness over the long haul. He calls us to be consistent and persistent in our service to Him. Listen to what Paul says to Rome—

[God] will judge all people according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. (Romans 2:6-7, NLT)

Eternal life goes to those who “persist in doing what is good.” Don’t get me wrong, God both calls and enables some of us to do amazing things like Abraham and Moses and David and Paul. But God calls us all to be persistent and consistent as we seek to do good, serve God and love others. The amazing part of this is that if we will just trust God, He will supply the endurance and persistence we need to be in this faith business for the long haul.

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus. (Romans 15:5, NASB)