February 20, 2021: A Lesson in Perseverance
“For I know the plans I have for you ... plans to prosper you and not to harm you ... to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).
The biochemistry textbook was thick and assignments ominous. My primary question was not Will I survive this class? but Is this even necessary?
Though I had weathered challenges before, the horror stories about my university’s Biochemistry course alarmed me. A graduating senior, I was already swamped by other academic and extracurricular commitments.
Embarking on a detailed, fast-paced journey, I increasingly appreciated how biology and chemistry intertwined. I had a C, however, which terrified me. God, what is happening? I began to ask.
Slowly, my grade improved. But my despair did not. The semi-familiar terrain of acid-base properties and protein configurations had become the foreign land of concepts such as enzyme kinetics. I restudied chapters, visited my professor’s office constantly and defeatedly noted the course’s drop date. God, I cried, show me that I’m not working in vain.
My pleas continued until one mid-semester morning. Shocked to see my perfect score on a difficult quiz, I also realized that I was enjoying what we were learning. Wake up, God told me. You may not know the entire picture— or how this course will apply to your future, but trust that I know, and rest assured that this experience is worth it.
That semester, I navigated two difficult courses: Biochemistry and Perseverance in the Face of Uncertainty. With Jeremiah 29:11 as my motto, I emerged victorious from both.
Father, when it’s hard to see Your plans, may we claim Your promises and persevere! Amen.
Yasmin Phillip is a member of the New Market church in Virginia
Join the Journey
To help you dig deeper into God’s Holy Word this year, we’re offering:
- Every Day—Read our Words of Life daily devotional book that features favorite Bible verses from members, pastors, students and leaders from across the Columbia Union. You can also read the devotionals on the Columbia Union app, and interact with the verses in our instagram stories.
- Every Week—Delivered straight to your email, read our e-newsletter by subscribing to Visitor News Bulletin at columbiaunionvisitor.com/vnb. Keep up with the latest Year of the Bible events, devotionals, videos and more.
- Every Month—This calendar, themed “Words of Life,” coincides with the devotional book and videos. It features a biblical topic and verse each month, with additional passages for further exploration, study and ideas on how to apply the concepts in your daily life.