Tenacity

​Have you ever observed children competing in sports?  I think one of the most hilarious heartwarming sights is watching boys and girls on a soccer field.  Usually one or two kids understand the game and are competitive. They typically score the goals or perform heroically on defense.  Meanwhile, the rest of the players sort of meander around as a herd not really sure what to do, not overly motivated but having fun.  

Not long ago, I played basketball with my seven-year old nephew, Joshua Ennis.  We teamed up against my two boys.  I thought it would be a fun little time of hoops before we headed home.  Instead, I had the privilege to see what tenacity looks like in living color.  Josh was all over the court.  He made swarming bees look slow.  There was not a rebound, or dribble or shot he did not contest.  He unselfishly passed the ball and essentially ran rings around the three of us.  Even Stephen our resident speedster had to be impressed.  I don’t believe there was ever one moment when Josh didn’t think he would win.  It didn’t matter if the score was against us.  He gave his all.  

I’ve been around quitters before.  You probably have too.  In fact I remember times in my life when I have given up and have had to address character issues.  I can think of people I’ve let down.  I also know it’s pretty hard to keep a good attitude working with people, who when the going gets tough, have 101 ways to exit the arena.  Conversely, it is exhilarating to be teamed up with those who are focused on serving God well and come Hades or stacked H2O aren’t giving up.  

Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?  If so, you are privy to a dynamic truth.
For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. Now His commands are not a burden, because whatever has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. And who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
(1 John 5:3-5).  

God has given you the victory through Jesus Christ!  So if you are sitting on the sidelines pouting, feeling defeated, looking like a spare tire with a spike through the center, knock it off!  Get up and believe!  Jesus will give you the strength you need if you will only trust Him and persevere! The world will never fall in love with a Savior whose followers live like they’ve lost!  Would you?  Tenacity is a must!  
 
Meditation
Hebrews 10:34,35--For you sympathized with the prisoners and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession. So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
 
Inspiration
Tenacity is more than endurance; it is endurance that has at its heart the absolute certainty that what we look for is going to transpire.—Oswald Chambers in God’s Workmanship
 
©2000 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)