The Power of Determination
Written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
(David mourns Saul’s death) “O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you with crimson, in luxury, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.” —2 Samuel 1:24 (NRSV)
As I’ve said before, it took one semester of college to realize I’d never be a philosopher. Yet, age does provide some level of wisdom. Perhaps the best piece of wisdom I’ve come to realize is that only God is perfect, which means perfection is always just out of reach. So, stop waiting for the perfect time, the perfect situation, and just move forward.
Ayodeji Awosika, who wrote “How to Derail Your Future,” writes, “People aren’t going to change… Your ducks will never align themselves in a row.” I wish I could lie and say life will be easy, or at least fair. However, the most unfair thing a person can do is give another person the false impression that life is fair and ultimately everything will line up properly, as it should for you. No, instead of waiting for the right moment, we must make the moment right through hard work, discipline, and trust that God will be our guide through life’s challenges.
The longer we expect life to be fair and for perfect moments to open themselves to us, the longer we will sit frustrated and spinning our wheels. Each of us makes our own opportunities. When unfairness rears its ugly head, we move forward, trusting that we can still take two steps forward, after the one step back. One of the most beneficial qualities a person can have in life is determination. I love the factual/mythical story of how often Abraham Lincoln failed on his way to becoming one of the most beneficial Presidents in our country’s history.
Like David, son of Jesse, who suffered for years with the jealousy of King Saul, David ran for his life. David did not give up, or hide until the situation was perfect, but continued to move forward, making his way, with God’s help and guidance. You and I are called to “go and do likewise.” We are too faithful to expect perfection, but are called to carve out a life amidst the imperfections of this world. Like David, we allow God to be glorified through our travails, as well as our successes. We move forward with determination, trusting God will use us to further the Divine kingdom.
