One Victory

One victory, one successful ending does not end the journey.

During the 1993-94 basketball season the team I was coaching was very good.  I was entering my fifth season at the school and we had built a solid program.  The two years prior our season had ended one game away from the state tournament and we returned many key players.

To get to the point we made it to the state tournament that year and I remember almost passing out from exhaustion after the season ended. I did an exhale that released three years of tension and hard work.

The problem was I didn’t go back to work with the same passion and purpose.  I had been driven by an external driver (motivator) and not as much internal as I should have.  It ended up being one of the biggest lessons of my coaching career.

The journey to success does not end when you accomplish a big goal.  You must dream again and dream bigger.  Yes, you can enjoy the accomplishment for a little while but once it is accomplished it is time to reset, recalibrate and set a new course. If I could go back and tell the Todd Gordon of 1994 one thing that would be it.

Great Job, now what’s next.  You got the one victory you had been missing and working for but let’s get back to work. Your journey does not end here. 

Success is a journey, not a destination.

I’m cheering for you.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How can one maintain passion and motivation after achieving a significant goal, and what strategies can be used to ensure continuous growth and improvement?

2.  Reflecting on past accomplishments, how can one balance the satisfaction of success with the need to set new goals and challenges?

The Path to Perseverance: Embracing Growth and Continuous Success in Faith

Achieving success is a blessing, but as followers of Christ, we are called to continually pursue excellence and growth.

Today, as we close this chapter of The Pursuit here is a summary of the verses we used to think about our pursuit of success. 

James 1:2-4 teaches us to “consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”  This perseverance helps us mature and complete our faith journey.

Proverbs 24:16 reminds us that “though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.”  Success isn’t about never falling; it’s about rising every time we do and continuing to push forward.

Galatians 6:9 encourages us not to “become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Persistence is key to achieving lasting success.

Colossians 3:23-24 urges us to “work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”  Our dedication and effort should reflect our commitment to God, who rewards our diligence.

Isaiah 40:31 assures us that “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength… they will run and not grow weary.”  Trust in God provides us with the strength to keep striving for the better.

Proverbs 10:4 states, “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”  Hard work and diligence are essential for continued success and improvement.

Let’s celebrate our victories, but never settle.  Let us keep striving to be better, knowing that our efforts are for God’s glory and that He will strengthen and reward us.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How can the concept of embracing growth and continuous success apply to different aspects of life beyond just faith?

2.  Reflecting on personal experiences, what are some strategies you’ve found effective in persevering through challenges and pursuing continuous improvement?