Bananas are good for you. They are rich in potassium which has all sorts of health benefits. Eating them can help lower blood pressure and reduce other health risks. The fruit of choice for many an athlete and easy to grab on the go. Bananas are good for you. And, as a 17 year old, I knew bananas are good for you. But, and here was the issue, I didn’t like bananas.

I didn’t like bananas but I wanted to like bananas. So, for two weeks, every day, in my school break I would try and eat a banana. A tiny little banana. It would take me the full 20 minutes. Twenty minutes of nibbling at this awful tasting, strange consistency of yuk that I knew was good for me…

Fast forward 17 years and today, I chose, I chose to eat a banana. Was I trying to inflict some sort of punishment on myself? No. I actually like bananas now. You might be wondering why I’m banging on about bananas, here’s the lesson – perseverance pays off…

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10

Do not give up. For 17 years I have not given up on the idea that one day I might be able to eat a banana and not wretch. Silly analogy I know, but how about this – you might not like forgiving someone, but persevere, at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up. You might not like tithing or being generous with your finances, but don’t give up. You might not like being a peace-maker when someone has wronged you, but persevere – do good to all people. There are many things we don’t like doing even though we know that they’re good for us. Persevere, keep eating those bananas, because God promises that “at the proper time” you will reap a harvest if you do not give up. Next time you eat a banana, why not ask Jesus if there’s an area of your life that He wants you to persevere in? Your harvest might be around the corner, it might be 17 years away, it might be stored up for you in heaven, but the promise is there – don’t become weary in doing good – keep eating your bananas – don’t give up.