Continue On (Song)

Description

“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” – James 1:25

It was just an ordinary day as a missionary in Mexico City. Mike and I were planning a trip downtown for supplies needed for the ministry. Owning an older vehicle, the government regulations only allowed us to drive our vehicle certain days of the week. If we could not drive our car, we would take the subway and public buses to get where we needed to go.

This day while preparing to take the subway, Mike stated, “Mary, you need to remember to be careful while on the subway. Stay close to me and keep your money and personal belongings in front of you at all times, and please, do not speak in English while on the subway.”

We then headed to the subway. Everything went fine on the trip downtown. It was when we returned, that I met trouble.

Millions live in Mexico City and the subways are always packed with people. As we were getting on the subway to return home, people began to push and Mike and I became separated. I was fine just knowing that we were both on the same subway cart and I could see him.

Moments after departing, a man, directly behind me, grabbed my shoulders and began pulling me towards him. He would not let go of me. My immediate thought was to get away from him but with the overly crowed cart, I could not move forward. He continued to pull be backwards toward him, and then, with the only thing that I knew I could do, I turned with a swing and bopped him on the head. Stunned, he let go of me. At that very moment, I forgot the instructions that Mike had given me earlier that day and began speaking in English to the man apologizing for bopping him on the head. Mike began making his way toward me trying to help when the subway cart came to an abrupt halt. The doors swung open, and the flow of people began pushing me out the door.

Shaken, I was glad when we made it safely home, but that night, I was unable to sleep with all that had unfolded that day. Discouraged, I began to pray and to read over verses from James 1 that I was memorizing.

Tears began to stream down my face as I began to read, James 1:2-3 and 12:

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience… Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

Oh, How God’s word comforted me at that moment! Peace filled my soul as I began to rest in the precious promises from God’s holy Word. Then, as I continued to read James 1, I realized that I should not be discouraged, but instead, simply trust in the Lord and ‘continue on’ no matter in what situation I may find myself. As I read James 1:25, my heart broke into song as I began to write the words and music to “Continue On.”