Success Comes to
the Committed
May 6, 2002
Abraham Lincoln entered the Blackhawk War as a
captain. By the end of the war, he had been demoted to the rank
of private. Over the course of his life Lincoln suffered two
business failures, a nervous breakdown, and was defeated in nine
electoral races before being elected president of the United
States. Abraham Lincoln is regarded as one of the greatest
leaders in our nation's history--but if he had given up after
repeatedly suffering setbacks, he wouldn't be remembered at all.
Franklin D. Roosevelt was crippled by polio.
Instead of allowing that disability to hold him back, he
cultivated a never-give-up attitude that enabled him to become
the only Unites States president elected to four terms.
If he had lacked perseverance Gen. Douglas
MacArthur's name wouldn't even warrant a footnote in American
history. This great military leader applied for admission to the
academy at West Point and was turned down twice before finally
being accepted.
Throughout the course of history one principle has
proven true: Success comes to the committed. Volumes of books
could be filled with stories of businesses, inventions, wars,
and relationships that were on the verge of failure when a
single courageous, persistent person refused to raise the white
flag. One more day of business, one more experiment, one more
battle, and one more try at healing a relationship.
The author of Hebrews exhorted his readers to hang
in there and not give up. He said, "You need to stick it out,
staying with God's plan so you'll be there for the promised
completion" (Hebrews 10:36 The Message).
As Mighty Men of God we've made a commitment to
pursue God by daily: 1) spending 3-5 minutes in prayer; 2)
spending 3-5 minutes in bible reading; 3) expressing love to our
families--or if single, to those close to us; 4) maintaining
moral purity. We'll only persevere as we ask ourselves, "What
things will interfere with my daily pursuit of God? I can think
of numerous hurdles: a hectic schedule, strained relationships,
unexpected demands at work and a pile of other temptations and
hassles that blow across our path every day. Perhaps nothing
undermines commitment more than getting off track. We start with
good intentions, but like an exercise routine or diet, once we
get out of the routine it's hard to get started again.
All sorts of barricades stand between us and
godliness. Ultimately, it's God's grace that changes us--but he
does it in the context of personal discipline and perseverance.
I urge you to recommitment yourself to God and those four
disciplines. Persevere! Seek God one day at a time. And as you
persevere remember . . . success comes to the committed . . .
it's secured by those who refuse to give up in spite of repeated
barriers and failures. Just ask Lincoln, MacArthur, Roosevelt,
Jesus and other godly men who refused to give up.
And of course, remember Elmo McGringle? Oh--you
don't remember him, do you? That's because he gave up.
|
