The soft hit of a long stick as it hits the backboard could be heard throughout. Standing there boldly a young blind boy holds a basketball in his hands. Friends sit in the bleachers quietly rooting for him, as the room stands almost still. The only audible sound is the tapping of the long stick. The boy cannot see the hoop, but he can listen. As he does, he hears the tap, tap, tap. He knows where to shoot. In one powerful moment he takes the shot. Almost simultaneously the crowd cheers, as the ball goes through the hoop, he did it! Though it wasn’t just about scoring points. It was about not letting his circumstances determine what he could and couldn’t do. He found a way to do something that he loved. He put his trust in the sound that told him where to go. He listened, and succeeded.

This is an empowering true story. Often when things seem too difficult, we tend to want to forfeit. Instead of persevering and taking the shot! We hold back in the hardship, instead of listening and trusting God. We doubt too much. The boy couldn’t see what was ahead of him, but he listened to the instruction of where to go. In doing so, he made the shot! If we find ourselves feeling defeated over our situation, may we keep listening to God’s word and trusting where He leads. For when we choose to persevere and follow where God calls, we won’t miss our shot.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Persevere

Romans 5:3-5 NIV

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. 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.

James 1:2-4 NIV

 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

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, fixing 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.