To excel at anything in life, we have to learn to handle adversity and persevere when it’s easier to quit. Long-term success is only achieved by persistence.
Recall the timeless quote by President Calvin Coolidge: “Nothing in the world will take the place of persistence. Talent will not; the world is full of unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ told us a parable about a sower planting seed (Luke 8:1-15). He stated emphatically that it was only by “persevering” that an individual will eventually produce a crop. The problem is many of us throw in the towel prematurely and as a result don’t find the achievement and success for which we long.
One of the very best contemporary examples of this character trait is Christian athlete Tim Tebow. He’s currently drawing fans in droves to watch him play professional baseball in a late-in-life career change in Columbia, South Carolina.
Critics and naysayers of Tim say, “It’s unrealistic. He’ll never make it!” Yet this 6 foot 3 inch, 233-pound 29-year-old athlete, surrounded by aspiring 19- and 20-year-old teammates, is on a mission to fulfill his destiny.
Who Is Tim Tebow?
Many sports aficionados believe Tim Tebow is easily one of the 10 most recognized sports figures in America. He is second only to Tiger Woods and LeBron James over the decade in terms of appeal.
In the mid-’80s, his parents were Baptist missionaries in the Philippines. While there, Tim’s mother, Pamela, contracted amoebic dysentery and fell into a coma, then discovered she was pregnant.
She developed a severe placental abruption, and doctors told her to get an abortion because the child would be stillborn. Because of their strong Christian faith, Mr. and Mrs. Tebow believed God for a miracle promising to consecrate their son for God’s work. And that is just what happened, as little Timothy was born a healthy baby, to the glory of God!
He was one of five children, and they were all homeschooled even into high school. Tim was able to play on the high school football team, winning the state title with him honored twice as “Florida Player of the Year.” Subsequently, he was named one of the top 33 football players in Florida’s 100-year history of high school football.
Advancing to the University of Florida, Tim became the first homeschooled high school athlete to ever be nominated for the Heisman Trophy that he won as a sophomore. While there, he played on two national championship teams, both with records of 13–1.
Going on to play for four teams in the NFL, he competed in 34 games until eventually being released. Even though he took a team to the playoffs, many football experts said he just didn’t have what it takes.
Every time he faced another setback, Tim was interviewed and displayed grace along with exemplary determination to follow the will of God every step of the way. Eventually, he sensed he should pursue a baseball career, even though he had not played in organized baseball since high school in 2005.
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SOURCE: Charisma News
Larry Tomczak
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