An Attitude Of Frogged Persistence

An Attitude of Frogged Persistence

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9

One of my favorite scenes in The Muppet Movie is when Kermit the Frog and his friends are stuck in the desert. He has been on a long journey to Hollywood, trying to fulfill a promise to himself and achieve a dream: not to become rich and famous but to “make millions happy.” But when the Studebaker he and his companions are driving breaks down, Kermit gets discouraged. His dream and his promise seem broken, and his integrity begins slipping. He believes he has let everyone down, including himself, bringing misfortune to his traveling companions: a lady pig, a comedic bear, a piano-playing dog, a quiet chicken, and a thing—whatever Gonzo is. All seems lost.

A second Kermit shows up on the scene—his conscience, perhaps—and helps him get some perspective. Kermit realizes that his initial promise wasn’t to his friends, it was to himself. He had set out to accomplish something bigger than himself, and the others had joined him because they believed in the dream. His dream—to make millions happy—is still a good one. And if he stays the course, he can still accomplish it. He needs to keep the dream in front of him and persevere. All is not lost.

That’s a pretty good picture of what it’s like to pursue a God-given dream. We often find ourselves stuck in the desert, discouraged when we hit a bump in the road and think we’ve let ourselves or others down. In those moments when our morale is slipping away, our integrity can begin to slip away too. We want to compromise our commitment. And it takes a new perspective to regain the motivation we need to stay the course and fulfill the dream.

When you’re pursuing a dream that God would honor and it seems that all is lost, it isn’t. Maintain your integrity toward the promises you’ve made to yourself, to others, and to God. Keep pressing ahead on a straight path toward the goal. Listen to the voice of conscience that keeps you grounded and reminds you that you can still accomplish what you set out to do. Renew your commitment to your calling, and don’t give up.

Uncommon Key > The missing ingredient for accomplishing most dreams is perseverance. When you’re wrestling with doubts, stay the course. Don’t be persuaded to give up; if those ideas of quitting persist, talk yourself out of it.