For Terms 3 and 4 our core values are perseverance and diligence. As a staff we are trying to develop this in our students as it is one of the most effective values we can develop in ourselves and not always something New Zealanders are good at. In the last edition of the newsletter I told you about how our Asian cultures tend to value perseverance and achievement comes as a result. Today I want to tell you about a post-war story of Sir WinstonChurchill, one of the most famous men in history, and the advice he gave at a university speech...
In June of 1955, Sir Winston Churchill, who was near the end of his life, was asked to give a commencement address at a British university. At this time he was physically infirm; he had to be helped to the podium. Then he held on to the podium for what seemed an endless amount of time.
He stood with his head bowed down but finally looked up. Then the voice that years before had called Britain back from the brink of destruction sounded publicly for the last time in history: "Never, never, never give up." With that, Churchill turned and went back to his seat.
I read somewhere that there was silence, and then, as if one person, the whole audience rose to applaud him. They rose to applaud him because here was a man whose life and words were together. During the darkest days of World War II when country after country was being swallowed by the Nazis, when German planes were bombing English cities into piles of rubble, when the threat of invasion seemed imminent, when even the hardiest of souls was giving up hope, Churchill never lost hope and never gave up. He called his country to their knees in prayer. It was a turning point. Even throughout his political career, Churchill had known setbacks. Three times, his career apparently over, Churchill found himself sent off to oblivion. Three times he came back to lead his country. Here was a man who never gave up.
"Never, never, never give up." Excellent advice for anybody who seeks to serve the Lord and accomplish His work. In the Lord's service, it is always too soon to quit. In the Lord's service, it is never time to slacken our efforts. In the Lord's service, we must never come to the point of giving up. Paul had this in mind when he wrote Galatians 6:9,
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up".
I have used this as my own theme verse constantly over the years! Whenever we are tempted to do less than our best, or perhaps ready to quit completely, we ought to remember this verse and the truths that it contains. Be challenged.
He stood with his head bowed down but finally looked up. Then the voice that years before had called Britain back from the brink of destruction sounded publicly for the last time in history: "Never, never, never give up." With that, Churchill turned and went back to his seat.
I read somewhere that there was silence, and then, as if one person, the whole audience rose to applaud him. They rose to applaud him because here was a man whose life and words were together. During the darkest days of World War II when country after country was being swallowed by the Nazis, when German planes were bombing English cities into piles of rubble, when the threat of invasion seemed imminent, when even the hardiest of souls was giving up hope, Churchill never lost hope and never gave up. He called his country to their knees in prayer. It was a turning point. Even throughout his political career, Churchill had known setbacks. Three times, his career apparently over, Churchill found himself sent off to oblivion. Three times he came back to lead his country. Here was a man who never gave up.
"Never, never, never give up." Excellent advice for anybody who seeks to serve the Lord and accomplish His work. In the Lord's service, it is always too soon to quit. In the Lord's service, it is never time to slacken our efforts. In the Lord's service, we must never come to the point of giving up. Paul had this in mind when he wrote Galatians 6:9,
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up".
I have used this as my own theme verse constantly over the years! Whenever we are tempted to do less than our best, or perhaps ready to quit completely, we ought to remember this verse and the truths that it contains. Be challenged.
God bless
Alistair Paterson