The Power of Tenacity
By Ryan Dawson
I really admire tenacity in people. Tenacity can be defined as persistent determination. It is the quality displayed in someone who just won’t quit. A person who is tenacious shows a doggedness and a perseverance that propels them forward when others would walk away.
I think tenacity is one of the reasons I love the Olympics because the games are filled with stories of people overcoming incredible obstacles to pursue their goals. I think of the Canadian women’s soccer team, which was penalized 6 points, and had their coaches suspended because of the drone spying scandal. These women could have packed it in and yet they found a resolve within to win all three games, including beating powerhouse France, enabling them to qualify for the quarter finals. That’s determination and grit. That’s tenacity!
I think of Canadian gymnast Felix Dolci who had his wrist strap break while he was spinning on the high bar. Felix spun off the bar and crumbled on the ground in a breathtaking fall. Within minutes he was back on the high bar, with a new set of wrist straps, finishing his routine with a spectacular landing. That’s perseverance and mental toughness. That’s tenacity!
I think of Eleanor Harvey who won Canada’s first ever medal in fencing. After 19 years of training, Harvey brought home the bronze medal when she won a stunning victory over fencing star Alice Volpi of Italy. Pursuing her Olympic dream has come at a great cost, as Eleanor’s mom had to sell their house to fund her daughter’s fencing career. That’s sacrifice and determination - That’s tenacity!
There is something beautiful and inspiring in these stories as we see people persevere to fulfill their human potential. I believe we resonate with these stories because they reflect the greater narrative of God’s story. God has made us to know Him and to pursue Him. He has given us a purpose, to reflect Christ to the world around us, so that people come to know God’s goodness and grace. God wants us to maximize our redemptive potential for His glory, our benefit, and for the good of others. Stepping into this greater story and living with this Kingdom perspective is not easy. It will require determination, perseverance, tenacity, and grit but there is a great reward if we walk by faith and trust God to transform us and use us for His good purposes.
The Apostle Paul helps us better understand the value of working through hard things with determination and tenacity… Romans 5:3-5 (NIV) “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
And the Apostle James gives us a glimpse of what we have in store if we continue to persevere… James 1:12 (NLT) “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
It’s amazing what Olympic athletes endure to achieve their dreams, but they do it to get a medal that will eventually tarnish. As believers we are promised a “crown of life” that will never fade, spoil, or decay, if we continue to pursue Christ with tenacity and determination.
So, remember what awaits you in Christ, as you enjoy the Olympics, and persevere in your faith so you receive all God has promised.
In His Grip, Ryan
I really admire tenacity in people. Tenacity can be defined as persistent determination. It is the quality displayed in someone who just won’t quit. A person who is tenacious shows a doggedness and a perseverance that propels them forward when others would walk away.
I think tenacity is one of the reasons I love the Olympics because the games are filled with stories of people overcoming incredible obstacles to pursue their goals. I think of the Canadian women’s soccer team, which was penalized 6 points, and had their coaches suspended because of the drone spying scandal. These women could have packed it in and yet they found a resolve within to win all three games, including beating powerhouse France, enabling them to qualify for the quarter finals. That’s determination and grit. That’s tenacity!
I think of Canadian gymnast Felix Dolci who had his wrist strap break while he was spinning on the high bar. Felix spun off the bar and crumbled on the ground in a breathtaking fall. Within minutes he was back on the high bar, with a new set of wrist straps, finishing his routine with a spectacular landing. That’s perseverance and mental toughness. That’s tenacity!
I think of Eleanor Harvey who won Canada’s first ever medal in fencing. After 19 years of training, Harvey brought home the bronze medal when she won a stunning victory over fencing star Alice Volpi of Italy. Pursuing her Olympic dream has come at a great cost, as Eleanor’s mom had to sell their house to fund her daughter’s fencing career. That’s sacrifice and determination - That’s tenacity!
There is something beautiful and inspiring in these stories as we see people persevere to fulfill their human potential. I believe we resonate with these stories because they reflect the greater narrative of God’s story. God has made us to know Him and to pursue Him. He has given us a purpose, to reflect Christ to the world around us, so that people come to know God’s goodness and grace. God wants us to maximize our redemptive potential for His glory, our benefit, and for the good of others. Stepping into this greater story and living with this Kingdom perspective is not easy. It will require determination, perseverance, tenacity, and grit but there is a great reward if we walk by faith and trust God to transform us and use us for His good purposes.
The Apostle Paul helps us better understand the value of working through hard things with determination and tenacity… Romans 5:3-5 (NIV) “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
And the Apostle James gives us a glimpse of what we have in store if we continue to persevere… James 1:12 (NLT) “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
It’s amazing what Olympic athletes endure to achieve their dreams, but they do it to get a medal that will eventually tarnish. As believers we are promised a “crown of life” that will never fade, spoil, or decay, if we continue to pursue Christ with tenacity and determination.
So, remember what awaits you in Christ, as you enjoy the Olympics, and persevere in your faith so you receive all God has promised.
In His Grip, Ryan