8th Step to Heaven on Earth: Endurance

You are getting a Black Belt and have become a spiritual warrior after this step. If you have followed the series and practiced the steps to heaven on earth, you are at the highest point of spiritual fitness: Enlightenment, which we discussed last week.

However, Enlightenment is not the final step to spiritual maturity. You need one more step beyond Enlightenment: Endurance. The reason is we live in a world of darkness, and when you shine your light in the dark, you disturb the evil force, and it will try to take put you out. An enlightened person is a threat to this dark society.

For example, Abraham Lincoln shined his bright light on the darkness of his days, and he was assassinated. Marti Luther King, Jr. shined his bright light into the darkness of injustice, and he was murdered. Jesus Christ, the light of the world, was crucified. There are uncountable examples like that in human history. Jesus said,

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!” (Lk 13:34).

A prophet is someone who enlightens the society of their time. They are what Jesus called “peacemakers.” If a holy place like Jerusalem cannot contain the prophets, don’t expect the rest of the world to be better.

I don’t mean every peacemaker will have the same fate as the above-mentioned saints and prophets. I am just highlighting some extreme cases to demonstrate the nature of the beast. You must be aware that this dark world does not welcome your light. The path after enlightenment is as rough as the path before. That’s why Jesus said you must carry the cross “daily” to follow him.

If you want to have a comfortable life, go with the follow of the fallen world. It means that if you get up in the morning and find your life is running smoothly, you may be heading the wrong way. The brighter you shine, the more likely you are persecuted by the dark forces.

Jesus does not want us to be like a straw fire that flames out in a short moment, but he wants you to shine forever. He said,

“And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.” (Jn 15:16c).

To bear the lasting fruit means to shine your light for eternity. So, he offers us the blessing of Endurance. The good news is that his method of endurance is easy.

Before we continue, let us refresh our memory of the Eight Steps to Heaven on Earth. They form the acrostic CAREFREE:

1. Consciousness
2. Abandonment
3. Reliance
4. Edification
5. Forbearance
6. Refinement
7. Enlightenment
8. Endurance

Jesus has taught you a very simple way to sustain your success as a peacemaker. Let’s explore his secret of Endurance through today’s scripture lesson.