Grit has moxy.
I used to teach my sons the ‘last five percent rule’. The concept is something I named to express that in a competitive environment (e.g., sport, business) the majority of people in this world can match each other ninety-five percent of the time. For example, take two equally talented runners. Which one wins on any given day? The one with the most grit. The one willing to dig deeper than their competitor. The one willing to keep going and suffer when their own body is screaming, “Stop!” It’s pretty amazing how often long-distance races come down to the wire. It’s almost as if the first ninety-five percent of it is designed to get the field to the point of exhaustion so that the one with the most heart can be identified.
Grit wins.
The most naturally talented people aren’t always the victors. Michael Jordon was cut from his high school basketball team, so he worked harder. Tiger Woods once said that John Daly had more natural talent than he did, so he went to practice while John drank at the bar. Bill Gates used to sleep at his office for days. Elon Musk says he worked twenty hours a day for years. Winning requires hard work and persistent determination.
What about success in the spiritual life? Does that require grit, or should we suppose, as some do, God will do all the work? Well, what does the Bible say?
And Gideon came to the Jordan and crossed over, he and the 300 men who were with him, exhausted yet pursuing.
-Judges 8:4
God promised Gideon success and yet Gideon didn’t sit back and expect it to happen in the absence of personal effort. Just the opposite is true! He and his men were “exhausted yet pursuing” (v4). Pursuit of victory implies pushing through to the end. We must choose not to give up.
And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.”
Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.”
Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.”
-Job 2:3-5
Sadly, Satan’s accusation that Job would fold under pressure is an accurate one for most people in this world (at much lower levels of stress, even). Job had true grit, so he never failed (his wife did, unfortunately – maybe that’s why God proffered Job up for satanic testing instead of his wife).
As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
-James 5:10-12
Grit upholds convictions – “let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no” (v12).
The Bible humbles us by giving us examples of both insects and animals who exhibit more grit than most humans do. When’s the last time you saw an ant give up, regardless of the task? I’ve observed them dragging objects ten times their size towards their anthill. How long does it take a tunnel-dwelling animal to dig a tunnel? In combat, these species fight with life and limb. It’s all in for them! They do whatever is necessary, always.
The ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs.
-Proverbs 30:25-26
As I was writing this blog, a member of my congregation sent me a picture of a placard that read, “Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger men.” What an endorsement by God the Holy Spirit in this moment! I guess we ought to listen to what the Spirit has to say here, huh? God’s timing is perfect. If you’re reading this, please know that God really wants you to pay attention.
May I encourage you to think about the ‘last five percent rule’ the next time you feel like giving up? Remember that it is perseverance that builds character (Romans 5:3-5). The first ninety-five percent of any race is simply the vehicle used to get you to the point of testing, to see what you’re made of. For the most part, anyone can cover that ground. It’s that last five percent that matters most, disproportionately so. It’s your opportunity to show your grit and bring glory to God. When you feel like quitting and the kingdom of darkness is whispering in your ear that you don’t have what it takes, just think of all those who have run this race before you…think of Jesus!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
-Hebrews 12:1-3
Grit separates winners and losers. We will have to wait until the end of the race to see who had it and who didn’t.
Love in Christ,
Ed
