Sixth 'P' = Perseverance

Hi increadible small group leaders! Here is the final session in our series the 6 "P's of Influence, I hope it has inspired and challenged you.
 We have looked at the various aspects of  influence and the importance of pursuing them - but to finalise, it is one thing to have these aspects, but its perserverance in them that will bring results in the long run. Many times we fail to realise that the process itself is just as important as the outcome, indeed many times it is the process that guarrentees the outcome! 

The emperor moth is the most majestic species among all the moths. It has wide wings spanning out majestically when it flies. Before it can become a full grown moth, it has to be a pupa in a cocoon. Now, the interesting fact about the moth’s cocoon is that the neck of the cocoon is very narrow.In order that it become a moth, the pupa of the moth must squeeze its way out of the narrow neck. One day a man found a cocoon of an emperor moth. He took it home so that he could watch the moth come out of the cocoon. He sat and watched the moth struggling to force the body through that little hole.

 Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. It just seemed to be stuck.Then the man being kind decided to help the moth. So he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The moth then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. He expected that the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the little moth spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

A few days later, it died.What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the moth to get through the tiny opening was the way of forcing fluid from the body of the moth into its wings so that it would be ready for flight. Once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Freedom and flight would only come after the struggle. By depriving the moth of a struggle, he deprived the emperor moth of this crucial process, and its ability to fly.

You see the struggles of life, heartaches and pains are necessary if you want to be great; (and have great influence) understand that while you are experiencing them, they are part of the making of a man or a woman of God & your development as a leader.

I have a favourite poem that I often read or recite (as best I can from memory) when I am feeling overwelmed with life, ministry & everything! I have found it to be a great encouragment - perhaps just read through it as we finish this session. I am trusting that the Holy Spirit will quicken this poem to you and the area of need you are feeling right now!

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.


Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up though the pace seems slow--

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,

It seems to a faint and faltering man,

Often the struggler has given up,

When he might have captured the victor's cup,

And he learned too late when the night slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.


Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far,

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Author unknown

Kind of says it all doesn't it?
Lets continue to serve the Kingdom together
Ps Rhett