Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated, “If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

Luke 13:10-13 is a story about a woman that had been bent over for 18 years. She was unable to stand up straight for that span of years. Eighteen years is a long time. Can you imagine being stuck with the same problem for 18 years?

Not only was this woman bent over, but she was probably on the margins of society because of her condition. In biblical times, a woman would be outcast from society if they were unmarried or sick.

This story does not say whether this woman was married or unmarried, but it does say that she had an infirmity. So it’s safe to assume that she was on the margins of society. She was considered to be unclean, untouchable and maybe unlovable. However, this woman had a characteristic that each of us should admire — that is persistence. 

Despite her infirmity she was persistent. Persistence is the quality that allows someone to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult or opposed by other people. This woman was persistent in going to the temple, even though it was a struggle for her. For 18 years her problem didn’t go away, but she stayed faithful. She was constantly in God’s presence at the temple.

One day Jesus was teaching in the same temple that the woman had been attending for 18 years. Jesus saw the bent-over woman and called her forward.

Jesus told her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 

Then Jesus did something that no one else would do in her society and that is touch her. Immediately after this encounter with Jesus the woman straightened up and praised God. Her persistence paid off. The woman never gave up hope that one day she could stand up straight again. She kept coming to the place of faith because she knew that one day God would respond to her faith. Not only did Jesus heal her body, but Jesus restored her back to society by calling her the Daughter of Abraham.

When we are persistent great things will happen. God is a rewarder to those that diligently seek him. What do you need to be persistent to God for?

On a personal note, I would like to say Happy Veteran’s Day to all veterans. Thank you for your selfless service. God bless!    

REV. MATTHEW SHANNON is pastor of Beulah AME Church in Farmville. His email is pastormatthew.shannon@gmail.com.