~“You don't give up; you fight to the finish.”Louie Zamperini (1917-2014)
Louie Zamperini was a winner. Louie Zamperini was a finisher—a man who knew how to persevere under fire. Zamperini qualified for the 1936 Berlin Olympics in the 5000 meter race, where he finished eighth.
After drifting at sea for 47 days he landed on the Japanese occupied Marshall Islands where he was captured, taken to a prison camp in Japan, and subsequently tortured. The character, courage, and determination of Zamperini are brilliantly portrayed in the 2014 biographical movie, Unbroken, and I highly recommend that you check it out.
I love a quote from him that applies to both sports and life, “That's one thing you learn in sports. You don't give up; you fight to the finish.”
I’m inspired by a life like this. We all are. Men are looking for other men to live an authentic life as the best, most courageous, version of themselves. I fear, however, that Zamperini’s life seems surreal and unattainable to a generation of soft and apathetic males who refuse to fight to the bitter end and remain unbroken, unlike so many quitters we witness daily.
Quitting is happening at epidemic proportions and we need men to imitate the Lord Jesus more than ever before. It isn’t good enough to “believe” in Jesus. James writes that even the demons believe in Jesus and shudder in fear (James 2:19). This generation needs men not only willing to die for Jesus but men who will live boldly for Jesus.
Finishing strong is like following Jesus. It’s more than a decision. It’s living that decision every day of your life.
Are you one of those men? Really. Are you?
After drifting at sea for 47 days he landed on the Japanese occupied Marshall Islands where he was captured, taken to a prison camp in Japan, and subsequently tortured. The character, courage, and determination of Zamperini are brilliantly portrayed in the 2014 biographical movie, Unbroken, and I highly recommend that you check it out.
I love a quote from him that applies to both sports and life, “That's one thing you learn in sports. You don't give up; you fight to the finish.”
I’m inspired by a life like this. We all are. Men are looking for other men to live an authentic life as the best, most courageous, version of themselves. I fear, however, that Zamperini’s life seems surreal and unattainable to a generation of soft and apathetic males who refuse to fight to the bitter end and remain unbroken, unlike so many quitters we witness daily.
Quitting is happening at epidemic proportions and we need men to imitate the Lord Jesus more than ever before. It isn’t good enough to “believe” in Jesus. James writes that even the demons believe in Jesus and shudder in fear (James 2:19). This generation needs men not only willing to die for Jesus but men who will live boldly for Jesus.
Finishing strong is like following Jesus. It’s more than a decision. It’s living that decision every day of your life.
Are you one of those men? Really. Are you?
