History was made on October 7, 1984 ...

History was made on October 7, 1984 by one of the most persistent players to every play in the National Football League. This is the day Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton, the one called "Sweetness", became the NFL's all-time rushing leader at Soldier Field, breaking the legendary Jim Brown's hallowed record. Rick Weinberg, a sport journalist wrote, "The record is a natural progression of years of consistency, years of greatness, years of durability." The key word in Weinberg's commentary is "years." It took Payton 9 years to reach this milestone. Most players do not last 9 years in the NFL. Nevertheless, Payton remained persistent even through the punishment that the arduous position of an NFL running back must endure. 

One commentator spoke of this incredible feet calling it an unprecedented accomplishment. He was speaking of the fact that Walter Payton had rushed for more than 9 miles in his NFL career. He argued that this was the greatest display of strength ever witnessed on the gridiron. Another commentator stepped in with a different opinion. While he acknowledged that rushing over 9 miles in the NFL was quite an accomplishment; he did not believe it to be the greatest display of strength in football. Rather, he went on to express that the greatest display of strength was the fact that Payton after getting knocked down every 4.4 yards along the way did not stay down; but got up to run after each tackle again and again. 

Persistence may be defined as continuing in the right way even in the face of the most extreme adversity and the most difficult of circumstances. It is that thing when one resolves that the price of giving up would be much greater than the pain of continuing even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. This persistence is what it takes to truly maximize one's potential in life.

One of my favorite quotes of all times came from the lips of the man who saved England. On October 29, 1941 Winston Churchill delivered these powerful words to the boys at Harrow School where he once attended as a child, "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense." 

Whatever you set your heart to achieve. Whatever dreams you may chase. Whatever goals you wish to accomplish. Whatever worthy cause you endeavor to move forward. Wherever the Lord may lead. I encourage you to be persistent and to never, never, never give up!