Published March 17, 2024

By Andy Berges

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"The masses of men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to their graves with the song still in them."

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Those were Henry David Thoreau's thoughts back in 1854.

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Men, as well as women, continue to go to their graves forever buried with their God-given gifts and talents never sharing them with the world.

 

Our God-given purpose in life is the very meaning of our existence and God blessed every one of us with unique gifts that He expects us to employ to benefit humanity and the world.

 

As Proverbs 19:21 informs us, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Unfortunately, many people will follow the direction of their selfish desires in life and live lives of “quiet desperation” as Thoreau stated.

 

God reveals his calling for our lives at the appropriate time and when he does, we need to commit ourselves to determinedly achieve the mission that He expects us to fulfill.

 

Many people earnestly start to pursue their mission, but then give up and do not succeed because they lack one important trait – Perseverance. Admittedly, this included myself until recently.   

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Perseverance is a key ingredient required for one to achieve success with their mission. As Galatians 6:9 teaches us, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

 

Thoreau’s dismal thoughts regarding the masses of men leading lives of quiet desperation have applied from the beginning of time and will continually apply until the end of time. Fortunately though, his encouraging thoughts will also continually apply to those who opt to pursue their God-given mission in life with perseverance, which are as follows:

 

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in uncommon hours."