Perseverance

Sophomore catcher Taylor Gushue broke a 5-5 tie in the bottom of the 10th inning with a walk-off RBI single, scoring Emilio DeSilva to lead Calvary Christian over Coral Springs 6-5 in the championship game of the Colts First Pitch Classic on Saturday.

Gushue finished 4 for 4 with three RBI and hit his third home run of the season to dead center field in the third inning for the Eagles (3-0).

A few innings before the dramatic finish, a foul tip ripped the thumbnail off Taylor's throwing hand. But, the next inning Taylor threw out a runner at third base preventing the go-ahead run. Later, Taylor took another foul ball off his other thumb. So, delivering the game winning hit with pain in both hands is a story of perseverance that will become part of Taylor's character.

Paul in Romans 5:3-4 encourages all of us to endure trials and tribulations, to actually rejoice, knowing these challenges will produce perseverance; "and perseverance, character; and character, hope." Your character is being shaped by how you handle life's difficulties. Do you have a steady persistence in spite of obstacles or discouragement?

Perseverance is impossible unless you have faith. Verse 1 in Romans 5 says, "justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Faith gives freedom and confidence to overcome. Faith leads to triumph. Faith in Jesus means eternal hope and salvation. Is your faith in Christ the Lord? Are you equipped to persevere?