This weekend, we reflect on the resurrection of Christ. Friday’s gone but Sunday’s coming. Think about the persistence Jesus showed when faced with destiny. In Matthew 26:39, Jesus was in the garden praying and he said, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” In that moment, he was said to sweat blood from the pressure and the stress. But, because of his persistence, we have freedom and peace. We have access to the kingdom of heaven.
Persistence is a firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.
Napoleon Hill said this, “Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.”
A great example of persistence is Chuck Yaeger, the first person to break the sound barrier. A German pilot made an attempt to break the sound barrier just before Chuck’s flight, but when he put the pedal to the metal his plane exploded. Once Chuck took flight and started maxing out his speed, his plane started falling apart. In that moment, he made a choice and boom! He pressed forward and succeeded in breaking the sound barrier and becoming a legend.
Think about the moon landing and how many people had to persevere to get men on the moon. The flight took so long that the Apollo 11 crew almost used up their fuel. They might not have had enough fuel to make it home but, when faced with the decision to turn back or to stay the course, they persisted and persevered.
Here are some more great thoughts on the power of persistence. “As long as we are persistent in our pursuit of our deepest destiny, we will continue to grow. We cannot choose the day or time when we will fully bloom. It happens in its own time.” Denis Waitley
“Persistence is to the character of man as carbon is to steel.” – Napoleon Hill
“Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.” – Dale Carnegie
“Paralyze resistance with persistence.” – Woody Hayes
“The majority of men meet with failure because of their lack of persistence in creating new plans to take the place of those which fail.” – Napoleon Hill
Friday’s gone but Sunday is coming. Have a wonderful Easter!
Photo Courtesy of: Markus Spiske @markusspiske