GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
Mark 5:26
The Power of Determination
A man recently talked about his career. Right out of high school, he had to begin work, so he never had an opportunity to continue his education. He did eventually get another job that allowed him the time to pursue a bachelor’s degree and he had the resources to continue his studies. After completing that degree, he continued to pursue a master’s degree in divinity—the power of determination.
In February 2021, professional golfer Tiger Woods suffered extensive injuries to his right leg, foot, and ankle as a result of a nasty rollover car crash. A physician described his injuries as “significant orthopedic injuries.” There was discussion about whether the golf great would ever play again. One physician said, “It could conceivably be a challenge to walk properly, let alone return to professional sports.” However, shortly after the surgery on his leg healed, he began an intensive rehabilitation and physical therapy regimen with the goal of walking on his own. By November 2021, Woods was hitting balls for the first time since his accident. On December 8, 2021, he announced that he would return to the course for one event before the end of the year—the power of determination.
When Jesus returned to Capernaum, he was implored by a major religious leader in the city to come and pray for his twelve-year-old daughter, who was near death. On his way to Jairus’ house, a woman who had been hemorrhaging for twelve years was in the crowd surrounding Jesus: “And having suffered many things under many physicians, and having spent all she had, and benefiting not at all, but rather became worse.” (Mark 5:26) Little is known about this woman, but if she was from Caesarea Philippi—as Eusebius, the church historian, claimed—she had walked about 27 miles or so, a two-day journey on foot to get to Capernaum. Whatever the source of her hemorrhaging, it had physical as well as social consequences. She contacted physicians and spent all her resources in a quest for health, but while suffering many things at their hands, she “benefited not at all, but became worse.” Still, she never gave up—the power of determination.
The grit of this anonymous woman remains a lesson in the power of determination.
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