To persevere is to persist through difficulty without giving up. Sunday’s Heritage Day message was titled, “A Call to Persevere.” We reflected on the encouragement to persevere found in Hebrews chapter 12 . . . 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ²fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

(Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV)

Here’s a story from my sermon preparation that I hope will inspire and encourage you in your “course” of life. It’s the story of Wilma Rudolph. Those of you who are in your 50s or older will probably remember her. And those of you who are younger — and who have never heard of her — ought to hear her story. It’s a story of persistence, “stick-to-itiveness” and perseverance.

Wilma Rudolph was the twentieth of 20 children. She was born prematurely, and doctors didn’t expect her to live. She did, but at age four she contracted double pneumonia and scarlet fever, which left her left leg paralyzed. 

At age 9, she removed the metal leg brace she had depended on for the past five years and began walking without it. 

By age 13, she had developed a rhythmic walk, which doctors said was a miracle. That same year, she decided she wanted to begin running. She entered her first race and came in last. 

For the next three years, she came in dead last in every race she entered. But she kept on running until the day came that she won a race. 

Eventually, the little girl who was not supposed to live, and then who was not supposed to be able to walk, became “the fastest woman in the world.” 

At the 1960 Rome Olympics, Wilma became the first American woman to win three gold medals in one Olympics. She won the 100- and 200-meter races and anchored the U.S. team to victory in the 4 x 100-meter relay, breaking or tying world records along the way. 

Wilma Rudolph was a living testimony to the power of perseverance — of holding to the course. She never would have won if she had just been satisfied with walking — or if she had given up altogether. 

Do you ever feel like giving up? Perhaps you are struggling or know someone who is. God wants us to believe in ourselves like Wilma. And God wants us to believe in others. Through our own perseverance and grit, we might be a source of hope, a beam of light to someone who needs encouragement. Pray and ask God to give you the power to persevere through difficulty and to help you help others who need to do the same. As the preacher writes in Hebrews, “ . . . let us encourage one another.” (Hebrews 10:25b) 

Be encouraged this week!