Persist with Purpose

In my last year of organized basketball, I was a bench-warmer. I put an honest effort into practice and worked as hard as possible. It took that hard work just to get there, but I wasn’t seeing much playing time in the early season.

But as time progressed, the hard work started to pay off, and I had some of my best outings ever in the second half of the season. In my last game, I had 15 points, 10 rebounds, and hit the game-winner in double overtime. At the end of the season, the coach gave me an award for putting in the work.

I could have given up. At times, I wanted to give up. But if I had, I would not have experienced what I am thankful to have experienced.

In Luke 18, Jesus told a story about a widow and an unrighteous judge. To his own admission, this judge did not fear God or respect people. A widow came to him seeking protection from an adversary. The judge did not want to grant her request, but her persistence got him to change his mind. He would rather grant her request than be nagged by her.

The widow had one purpose in approaching the judge and kept going to him until she achieved that purpose.

If you have a purpose, in your sport or other part of life, but the work is starting to wear you out, speak to the Lord for strength. Ask others to help. But don’t give up. Be persistent.