AS you are reading this, where are you? In a cosy armchair in front of the fire?

By the time you get this week’s Wellington Weekly News, my wife and I will be somewhere on the cliff tops of Pembrokeshire – we are having nine days walking the coast path.

If the weather there is similar to here, we’ll be wet, cold and buffeted by the wind. We’ll be about halfway, or more. No sense in going back. Just have to go on. We can’t complain, we chose to do it.

So, with stoicism, British grit and no alternative, we carry on. The word for it is stickability. We started it, so we finish it. But that’s life. Whatever happens, we have to cope with it and get through it. Can’t escape. Just have to get stuck in!

That’s one of the things I admire about Jesus. I get encouragement from him when I share things with him. He knows and he understands, based on his own experience. He had stickability and so helps me with mine.

He knew early on that there would be trouble ahead. People, especially those in power and those who loved the status quo, would oppose him, even hate him. Even so, he got stuck in and got on with what he had to do. He could see there would be a tragic end. His choice? Compromise or take early retirement or maintain honesty and integrity.

He kept going and his suspicions were proved correct. They got him and stuck him up on the cross; they killed him. However his stickability was rewarded. He was restored to life by his Father and that’s why I know he’s here and I can share with him, and he with me.

And maybe I’ll think of that when we arrive at our walk’s end, we go into a pub and enjoy a nice refreshing pint. Then, after a shower in a hotel, sit down and have dinner to celebrate!

Rev Martin Perry, Bishops Lydeard Benefice