It doesn’t matter what we believe the quality of determination is still the essential ingredient for a successful life. It is the personal attribute which takes an individual through to the conclusion of a task or personal goal. To give up is to surrender yourself to failure and mediocrity; it is a compromise which settles for the easy road. To hang in there and finish the course is determination.

When we think of mountain climbers whose goal is to reach the summit, we know the ingredient of determination is vital. It may involve considerable preparation such as setting up base camps, supplies and equipment. But the desire to reach a goal requires application and not giving up when the going gets tough. Nothing of value will be achieved without total commitment.

The Christian life is not a singular experience we may have had at some point in the past. It is a journey of faith which continues till we cross the finish line. It could be likened to a race which is not so much about winning but completing. I recall those school cross country runs where we would follow a paper trail that would take us through paddocks and over creeks. Covered in mud we would arrive back at school exhausted but knowing we had completed the run.

There will be times in our Christian lives when we feel like giving up. In those moments of spiritual weariness when the journey seems too hard, we don’t have to give up. We may, need to pause and regather our strength. God wants us to be determined to finish, but not without His help. The guarantee is this… our strength will be renewed as we wait on God and yes, we will FINISH!

Ref. Isa. 40:31, Heb. 12:1-2 NIV.