The Power of Persistence
There is a popular saying that, “Little drops of water make a mighty ocean.” Actually, it does not cease to amaze me on what a little drop of water can do. One evening, I had an empty bucket under the tap in my bathroom. The tap was dripping tiny drops of water into the bucket. To me, the tiny drops seemed insignificant and I didn’t bother to tighten the knob of the tap. To my utmost surprise, the big bucket got filled to overflowing by early morning the next day. That little incident taught me a fundamental lesson about some principles of life – winners don’t quit and quitters don’t win. What really is persistence? According to the dictionary, it means “the fact of continuing in an opinion or course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition”. A lot of times many of us give up too easily in the face of slightest opposition or discomfort. A great number of folks lack the inner capacity and motivation to persist even at the near point of success in achieving their goals in life.
Sometimes you may wonder: why do some people fall by the wayside while others continue to excel? The answer is not far fetched – it lies in our individual capacity to persist and withstand pressure even when circumstances around us cry otherwise. Proverbs 24:10 says, “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” Your propensity to continue or withdraw in the face of adversity is what determines whether or not you will survive the heat of life. Years ago, when my boys were still very young as kids, I bought a bicycle for each one of them. The eldest one seemed to be doing well riding his bike, while the younger brother kept complaining, murmuring and struggling to find his balance and ride by himself. Watching his elder brother riding with ease, he was determined to ride on his own. I was busy watching with my wife and encouraging him. With little persistence and endurance as the days went by, he caught up with his elder brother and started cruising his bike.
The bible declares in Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” If I may ask: How dogged, rugged, determined, resolute, unwavering, and strong-minded are you towards achieving your set goals and aspirations this year? Already two months are almost gone, with just ten more laps to go. Will you bury your head in the sand, and say, it is over for me. Listen, ten months is still a whole lot to accomplish huge success if you are willing to set your mind like a flint, and not let go of your dream. Yes, there’s a lot to achieve if you can pour your mind to it. That is why I like the game of football. It is not over until the final whistle. A few years ago, I watched a football game between Liverpool and Leicester City, and Liverpool scored against Leicester at 94th minute to win the game. That was at the extra time, at the time the game should be over. What does that tell you? It is not over until you win. Really, there is a need for a change of mindset. Do not count yourself out of the race.
Remember, “The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong” (Eccl.9:11). Just keep focused on Jehovah Sabaoth – the Mighty Man of War – who only can pull you through. Quitting should never be an option for you. Just PERSIST! Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:13-14, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” This year, you will SUCCEED; there shall not be any ABANDONED Project in your life. You started in January, and you will Finish Strong by December in Jesus Name. Have a Blessed and Fantastic Week. With love, Elvis!