April 15, 2019
LEADERSHIP, VISION & PERSISTENCE
Today, we will consider the 10th principle out of the twelve (12), which every transformational leader needs in order to fulfil their vision namely, “Use Persistence in Achieving the Vision”.
The first principle is to “Be Directed by a Clear Vision”. Following this, you must “Know Your Potential for Fulfilling Vision” and “Develop a Concrete Plan for Your Vision”. The fourth principle is “Possess the Passion of Vision” and the fifth is “Develop the Faith of Vision”. “Understand the Process of Vision”, “Set the Priorities of Vision”, “Recognize People's Influence on Vision” and “Employ the Provision of Vision” are the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth principles requisite for the fulfilment of vison. What we are discussing today is built on the foundation of these nine principles.
THE TENTH PRINCIPLE – PERSISTENCE
PERSIST'ENCE is defined by the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary as “steady pursuit of what is undertaken”. The etymology of the verb persist is:
“from Latin persistere "abide, continue steadfastly," from per "thoroughly" (from PIE root *per- (1) "forward," hence "through") + sistere "come to stand, cause to stand still," from PIE *si-st-, reduplicated form of root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm.”
A LESSON FROM GOLFING
Persistence from the definition and etymology has to do with patiently continuing or following through with the vision, not giving up, seeing the vision through. Golf has an important lesson to teach us in that regard.
Some amateur golfers assume that the most important thing about golfing is striking the golf ball, or connecting the club with the ball. While this is important, it is not enough if one seeks to drive the ball correctly and accurately. What happens in the final stages of a swing (after the club has collided with the ball) is just as relevant as what happens in the beginning stages when the club initially meets the ball. In like manner, starting / implementing a vision is important but what happens after the vision has started being implemented is just as or more important.
In Golfing, a well composed swing is one which has a balanced “follow through” after the golf club has connected with the gold ball. Collision alone is not sufficient if there is not a follow through.
When tackling a vision, collision or starting the vision alone is not enough. There is the need to patiently persist and persevere or follow through regardless of the obstacles or hindrances one may meet during the swing process. Today we have the privilege of using long lasting incandescent bulbs in our homes and offices that give us artificial light in dark spaces because Thomas Edison even after failing numerous times to invent one refused to give up but rather persisted until his dream became a reality. Most inventors have similar stories. They had to persist.
LESSONS FROM SCRIPTURE
The most important race we will ever run is the Christian race that has as a reward an eternal prize. The writer of Hebrews says it can only be run successfully if “we run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1 (AMPC).
Romans 2:7 (AMPC) To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [springing from piety] seek [unseen but sure] glory and honor and [the eternal blessedness of] immortality, He will give eternal life.
In the Christian walk or race, glory, honor and immortality can only be sought by patient persistence.
Luke 18:8 (AMPC) I tell you, He will defend and protect and avenge them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [persistence in] faith on the earth?
The kind of faith God appreciates which he will look for when he comes back to the earth is persistent faith—not unstable inconsistent faith.
We gather from the above that even in Christianity, persistence is key for attaining the prize. It is thus not surprising that persistence is one of the elements or principles requisite for the attainment of vision. True leaders are persistent.
Those who do not persevere end up aborting their own vision. From the scriptures above, we learn that one attribute of persistence is, its patient trusting in the Lord. It is near impossible to persist in the absence of faith in the Lord and His ability to sustain the vision. If you have a vision from the Lord before you, please persist and God will honour your persistence.
