“Our emphasis, therefore, should be on ‘doing’ and ‘becoming," not just on surviving; on serving others, not just serving time. Thus this quality of graceful endurance includes, but is more than, hanging on ‘for one moment more.’ Passing beyond breaking points without breaking takes the form of endurance.”
(Neal A. Maxwell, Not My Will, But Thine, p. 115)
Even yesterday’s spiritual experience, however, does not guarantee us against tomorrow’s relapse. Persistence thus matters greatly. More than a few, for instance, have had supernal, spiritual experiences only to fall away later; or, more often, merely to pull off to the side of the road, though intending only a brief rest stop. Hence the emphasis on enduring well to the end is wise, simply because we are at risk till the end!…Included in the enduring process is meeting the test of being constantly improved. Remodeling is costly and painful. But how can we realistically expect the arduous process of putting off the old man and putting on the new man to be otherwise?”
(Neal A. Maxwell, If Thou Endure It Well, p. 122-3)
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