Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12, NASB)
Stories about persistence in sports are great to follow. The Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, and Chicago Cubs all pulled their teams out of years of World Series drought to become champions. The New England Patriots’ persistence has not been to finally win a Super Bowl; it has been to stay on top. The Patriots have six Super Bowl titles since 2002, three runner-up finishes, 16 AFC East division titles since 2001, and a 220-68 regular season record in the same time period. Even non-Patriot fans are starting to give them their proper credit.
Jesus endured everything he did to die for you and me.A story of persistence every bit as important, but not as well known, is the PGA of America announcing its move from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, to Frisco, Texas. Northern Texas PGA Executive Director Mark Harrison began brainstorming in the winter of 2011. Harrison recognized the need for golf to embrace a changing demographic in Texas. Harrison’s vision led to meetings with the cities of Addison, Irving, Dallas, and Richardson. The idea was to partner a city with the NTPGA to develop a golf facility available to everyone. Roadblocks were many, until eventually the City of Frisco showed interest in the project. The result is PGA Frisco, featuring the new national PGA headquarters, 45 holes of golf, a 500-room Omni Hotel, and several major championships on the books, including the 2027 and 2034 PGA Championships.
Persistence and achievement. The two words go together. Rarely do we see achievement without persistence.
Paul wrote to the Philippians that he pressed on to “lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Jesus Christ.” He encouraged Timothy to “fight the good fight” and to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.” In Romans 2, the apostle contrasted those who persevere in doing good with those who are “selfishly ambitious” and “obey unrighteousness.”
How do we think about the life of Jesus? Certainly, it was a life of persistence and perseverance. But it was no ordinary dedication—it was persistence going all the way to the cross. Jesus endured everything he did to die for you and me.
Down the road, when you hear about the PGA headquarters in Frisco, you can think of Mark Harrison and his persistence. But every day, beginning today, when you think about Jesus, you can thank him for carrying through in every hardship to show his love for you!
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Bill Euler
February 20, 2019
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.