Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Philippians 3:12-15
Karoly Takacs, a young Hungarian soldier who was regarded as one of the best pistol shooters in Europe was thought to have an excellent chance of winning a gold medal at the Olympics. But both the 1940 and 1944 Olympics were cancelled because of World War II. Even worse, during the war a defective grenade exploded in his right hand—his shooting hand—and shattered it beyond repair.
Yet in 1948, Takacs made his way to London having trained himself to shoot with his left hand. One of his competitors asked why Takacs was there. He replied, “I’m here to learn.” Despite his handicap, Takacs won the gold medal, breaking the existing world record by ten points. After the medal ceremony, the second-place finisher said, “You’ve learned enough!” Takacs returned to the Olympics in 1952, winning the gold medal again at the Helsinki Games.
Though most of us have never suffered an injury as severe as the one Karoly Takacs experienced, all of us can find reasons to give up and quit. There are always excuses and obstacles. If we allow them to overshadow our purpose, we will become discouraged instead of continuing forward. Yet if we are faithful and persistent, we can see God do amazing things through our diligence. To press on, we must be willing to lay aside the past, both the successes and failures, and focus on Christ and what He has called us to accomplish.
