“it asks for the courage to stay on course, even when we encounter detours and challenges”
What does it take to be successful? One of the key ingredients of success is the ability to be persistent, but what is persistence? Mindset coach, Lungisa E. Sonqishe says persistence is, “the unwavering commitment to keep moving forward despite setbacks and difficulties...” Parashat Lech Lecha, the story of Avraham's journey from his homeland to an unknown future, offers powerful insights into the theme of persistence. In this parashah, HaShem commands Avraham to leave everything he knows and go "to the land that I will show you" (Bereishit 12:1). This command is open-ended and full of uncertainty–-Avraham isn't given a destination, a timeline, or any reassurance of success. Yet, despite this vagueness, he embarks on his journey with faith and determination. His story reveals how persistence, grounded in a sense of purpose and trust, can be a force for growth and transformation.
At its core, this command is not just about geographical movement but an invitation to spiritual and personal transformation. Avraham’s journey becomes a symbol of persistence in the face of uncertainty, a testament to the strength required to trust and move forward even when the future is unclear.
Avraham's path isn't smooth; he encounters significant challenges along the way. Almost immediately after he arrives in Canaan, he faces a famine and is forced to go to Egypt to survive (Bereishit 12:10). Later, Avraham faces strife within his family, particularly with Lot, his nephew, and a grueling battle to rescue Lot after he is taken captive. Through each of these trials, he could have easily questioned HaShem’s guidance or turned back, yet Avraham continues on. His persistence isn't about a blind march toward a goal; it's about maintaining faith and resilience despite uncertainty, setbacks, and frustration.
One remarkable aspect of Avraham's persistence is that it's rooted in his commitment to a larger vision, even if he can't see the end result. HaShem's promise to make Avraham "a great nation" and to "bless those who bless" him (Bereishit 12:2-3) is far from immediate. Decades pass without any sign of this promise coming to fruition, and yet Avraham holds on. This teaches us that persistence is often about the long game, about holding faith in the process and purpose even when results seem distant or impossible.
Avraham’s persistence is further highlighted by his faith in HaShem's promise to make him the father of a great nation, despite his and Sarah’s advanced ages and years of barrenness. This was perhaps the ultimate test of persistence, as he held on to this promise, enduring years of waiting and uncertainty.
Avraham's journey shows us that true persistence doesn't require constant success or visible results. Instead, it asks for the courage to stay on course, even when we encounter detours and challenges. We must maintain faith that setbacks are not signs of failure, and that every obstacle is a part of a larger journey. Lech Lecha reminds us that, like Avraham, we don't need to know every step of our path or see immediate rewards to be persistent. Rather, we are called to keep taking the next step forward, to have faith in a purpose greater than our immediate understanding, and to embrace resilience when faced with setbacks. In this way, Avraham's journey becomes a model for any journey of growth and transformation.
This theme is timeless. We all encounter moments where we face obstacles that seem insurmountable or delays that shake our faith in our purpose. In these moments, Avraham’s journey teaches us that persistence means holding on to our faith and values, believing that each step, even the difficult ones, is part of a greater story unfolding.
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