In 1953, a fledgling company called Rocket Chemical Company and its staff of three set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry. Working in a small lab in San Diego, California, it took them 40 attempts to get the water displacing formula worked out. But they must have been really good, because the original secret formula for WD-40 Multi-Use Product -which stands for Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try—is still in use today (wd40.com/history).
Imagine if the Rocket Chemical Company had given up after their 39th failed attempt. They would have missed their goal and we never would have had WD-40. I wonder how often we stop just short of being successful, reaching our goal, or making a breakthrough? It isn’t easy to keep going after we’ve struggled and failed many times before. However, those that have the perseverance and grit to keep at it in life will reap the rewards of their diligence.
This also true for our Christian walk. We are called to persevere and stick with it as we follow Jesus. Our faith is described as a race (Hebrews 12:1-3). In our race there may be times that we fall down or slow down, but the important thing is that we keep moving forward. We must not stop, quit, or turn around. We set our eyes on the prize, Jesus Christ the author and perfector of our faith, and we don’t give up. We keep the faith.
Have you felt like giving up or giving in lately? Let me encourage you to keep hanging onto Jesus. Don’t stop just shy of what Jesus has prepared for you. Your Lord and Savior will strengthen you and give you everything that you need. He is going to finish what He started in you. Keep the faith. May we all one day have the same testimony as the Apostle Paul where he proclaimed,
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. -2 Timothy 4:7, ESV