My daughter Jenni has always been very determined and driven. When she was in High School, I would ask her (almost daily) why she did not bring any books homes. She would always state, “I didn’t need to bring any books home, I finished my work.” And of course, as a dad, that used to drive me absolutely crazy . . . until she would bring home her report card, which usually reflected all “A’s.” And of course my initial thought was “Well, school sure isn’t as hard as it was when I was going to school.” Of course the courses weren’t the issue – if you catch my drift!
My daughter has attacked everything in her life with that same determination and drive. She has had set backs in life, and though she has been knocked down a few times – she has never been knocked out. And each time, she gets up stronger. Several years after all of her friends finished college, Jenni decided that it was time for her to finish a degree – and away she went. Why? Because she was determined. She did not stop until she graduated. Now, in her mid-thirties, she attacks her marriage, her job and parenting her two precious babies with the same level of determination and drive.
Thinking about my daughter and her complete life of determination, I couldn’t help but to think of the Apostle Paul who said, “For I determined . . .” Paul said, “I have set my face like a flint. I know what I’m going to preach and I know how I’m going to preach.”
Paul, “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;” a man who could have claimed to know many things said, “For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
Paul was determined to preach how Jesus lived vicariously, how He died voluntarily, and how He rose victoriously. And nothing else matter. Paul was determined.
Let us live our lives daily for Christ with the same determination the Apostle Paul had for preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified!
Fighting for My Pea Patch 