One of my favorite stories from history is about an old warrior named Gideon who led his army to victory against insurmountable odds. As the story goes, Gideon and his men were badly outnumbered, exhausted, battered and bruised, when they came to a crossing in a river.
The story is found in Judges 8:4 of the Old Testament. The verse reads, “Then Gideon and the 300 men who were with him came to the Jordan and crossed over, weary yet pursuing.”
You have to love a guy who keeps on keeping on and can convince his team to follow. One of the greatest attributes a leader can possess is perseverance.
As I look at my own life and leadership there are several things that make me weary. A lack of resources, challenging relationships, unrealistic expectations, demands on my time, endless meetings, and even a need to be relevant and creative, all cause fatigue from time to time. Each of these can be obstacles, and even enemies, waiting daily to attack me and steal my joy.
Like you and Gideon, I have a decision to make. I can either run and hide, giving in to the pressure, or I can keep on pursuing, seeking to make a difference with my life.
Today, I am choosing to pursue. Just like Gideon, I long to be marked by perseverance. How about you? If there is a place in your life where you have considered folding your hand, I say don’t – Keep swinging. Endure. Persevere. Finish.
It is possible to be weary and still pursue. Make that choice, and you might find that your energy will return.
If Gideon can make a comeback, you can too. But only if you keep pursuing.
Leadership Begins at Home,
Randy
What is the greatest comeback you have ever witnessed?
Comments?
The greatest come back for me will be after I lost my mom and a lot of people thought I will loose focus and everything about me will crumble because she was my best friend. But I took a huge turn and look at it from a believers perspective that it was the will of God that she go home to spend eternity with Him where we all will be joining her and all the faithful departed one day. To make all those who thought my whole life will crumble because of my mom leaving today they see me excelling and as a result have my own foundation in honor and memory of my beloved Mother “Alice”. Love you mom.
Great stuff, Paul. Thanks for sharing!
Randy,
Thanks for a timely word. “Coaching” my 18yr old nephew who recently moved in. I needed to find a way to encourage him as we continue to seek to influence new thinking and doing. I believe this will work well. I am personally challenged by this blog post.
Ray
Awesome, Ray. Keep showing up and making a difference!
Thanks for the encouragement! Great Word!
Thanks Steven