YEARS AGO A HIGH SCHOOL swim team in our area always performed exceptionally well. One or two swimmers on that team consistently came in first during local, district, or state meets. When our team had an opportunity to visit this school and see the pool they used to practice in, we were amazed at the deplorable conditions. The pool was less than regulation size and not as deep as other pools. Those factors caused the water to be choppier and more difficult to swim in. On top of that, the broken ceiling over that pool not only leaked water into the pool, it also dropped in little bits of cement.
Those swimmers did not let less-than-ideal conditions slow them down one bit from doing the very best they could. What I learned from those swimmers and that pool has stuck with me ever since: Right motives, persistence, and determination, not ideal conditions, are the primary elements essential to success whether in a sport or any other worthwhile endeavor.
Many Bible characters faced limitations or less-than-ideal circumstances that attempted to derail their progress and success, but didn't. For instance, self-doubt confronted Moses when God designated him to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. Yet he rose above that narrow view of his personal capacity by understanding that God would be at his side every step of the way. Job, who had for many years enjoyed an ideal life, later faced severe loss and disease as well as loneliness. Yet his persistent patience, forbearance, and prayer resulted in a complete restoration of good in his life. To this day, his success is a source of inspiration to those who know his story.
