Perseverance

Starting July 27, London will host the Olympics.

Back in 1992, a runner by the name of Derek Redmond was competing in the 400 meter semi-finals of the summer Olympics held in Barcelona, Spain. His demonstration of athletic perseverance made history that day.

Derek's story was already one of perseverance. Four years earlier, he was set to compete in Seoul, South Korea when a problem with his Achilles tendon forced him to cancel participation in the race at the last moment. Derek spent the next four year persevering on a daily basis to reach his goal of returning to the Olympics.

Four years, five surgeries and countless hours of rehabilitation and training brought him back to the Olympics.

Just watch his race.




This is real perseverance.

What struck me was that the only help he accepted was from his father.

If you need help persevering through whatever you are going through, lean hard on your heavenly Father and the Word.

This is what Paul did. Read the words he gives to Timothy:

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage —with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day —and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:1-8

Now I know, sometimes it is hard to keep running the race. The things the Lord asks of us are not easy.
Preach the Word.
Be prepared.
Keep your head in all situations.
Endure hardships.
Evangelize.
Complete all your ministry duties.
This is no short list.
But remember, your Father is there for you to lean on, to cry on, to encourage you until you run, walk or maybe even crawl across the finish line.