In 1953, a small, struggling chemical company set themselves to producing a rust-prevention solvent and degreaser for use in the aerospace industry. It took 39 unsuccessful tries before they succeeded. That’s why that can in your garage, or on some shelf in your utility room, is called WD-40 (i.e., water displacement, 40th attempt). I used my spray can of WD-40 less than two weeks ago. I am glad they did not quit on the 30th or 35th or 39th try!
Things worthwhile usually don’t come easily or quickly. I read once that “a red clover blossom contains less than one-eighth of a grain of sugar. Yet seven thousand of these grains are required to make a pound of honey. A bee, therefore, must visit 56,000 clover heads to get enough sugar for a pound of honey. There are about sixty flower tubes to each clover head.
So, the bee performs that operation 3,360,000 times to get enough sweetness for a pound of honey!” If you are a honey lover, as I am, you are grateful that God created the honeybee with a persevering constitution! Especially so that we can enjoy the pure goodness of Sourwood honey!
Winston Churchill made famous the phrase, “Never, never, never give up!” The Allied forces didn’t, and we won World War 2!
The key is most often old-fashion perseverance. It was what Jim Leyland attributed to his being able to hoist the 1997 World Series champion trophy after the underdog Florida Marlins beat the Cleveland Indians, four games to three. Leland had spent 37 years chasing this dream, and at the conclusion of the Series, as he stood at the winning dugout, Leland remembered those years he spent in the winter ball and instructional league with “guys like me that weren’t very good players, they weren’t going anywhere, thinking they have no chance to get to the major leagues.” Then, the Marlins manager said: “This win is dedicated to those guys. You’re looking at a back-up catcher in Double-A,” he said. “And I finally arrived at the pinnacle of this sport tonight, so there’s hope for all those guys out there. Don’t give up.” (Indianapolis Star, October 28, 1997)
We can all be glad that a lanky failure from Springfield, Illinois, did not give up! Failure? Yes, in business, at age 22; in his bid to win a seat in the Illinois legislature, age 23, and again in business, age 24. Then he was elected to the legislature at age 25; his sweetheart died the next year; he had a nervous breakdown at age 27; he was defeated for Speaker at age 29, defeated for Elector at age 31; elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, age 37; defeated in his bid for a Senate seat, age 46; defeated in his bid to be Vice-President, age 47, and defeated again for a Senate seat, age 49. BUT he was elected President of the United States at age 52! Thank God the 16th President of the United States—one of the best—was a man that persevered! (Did you know that Abraham Lincoln, as a wrestler, lost only one of his 300 matches!)
George Truett pastored the First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, for 50 years. His last charge to the church was the following: “My final word to you is ‘on and on;’ there remaineth yet very much land to possess. On until the last dollar of our building indebtedness is paid; on until the last seat in this great auditorium is regularly filled; on until our Sunday School attendance tests the capacity of Jackson Hall and this auditorium combined; on until our young people’s work knows no superior; on until our missionaries bless America and belt the world; on until our theological school is not exceeded on earth; on until our testimonies to the verities of God’s Word shames all skepticism. Yes, on and on until the King comes to say, ‘Well done!’”
So, welcome 2024! May our watchword be now and ever “On and on!”
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil.3:14)
YOU and GOD 