Tin Cup Faith

Another pastor I once served with dubbed me Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy. If you’ve seen the movie Tin Cup, you’ll get the reference. In the final scene, Roy—played by Kevin Costner—needs only a par on the last hole of the U.S. Open to qualify for a playoff. He would have easily made it - if he had taken a safe approach, stopped swinging for the fence, and settled.

Despite his caddie’s advice to play it safe by laying up, Roy swings for the green, aiming directly over a water hazard. His first attempt lands in the water. Undeterred, Roy drops another ball and tries again, only to see it meet the same fate.

This pattern continues, with Roy stubbornly refusing to take a safer approach, embodying his all-or-nothing mentality. On his twelfth and final attempt—he finally clears the water and holes the shot for a 12. He tried a little too hard and failed along the way, but he didn’t give up, and he cemented his reputation for unwavering determination. Unwavering determination might be a little bit generous in describing my habit of refusing to settle or to keep trying when others think I should give it up.

Though it can appear to be obstinate or stubborn, I prefer to think of my “Tin Cup” attitude as more persistence and perseverance in overcoming obstacles - a stick-to-it-iveness. When we feel defeated, discouraged, or like giving up, we can think of what the Apostle Paul said:

Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Gal 6:9

Winston Churchill said it this way:

"Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty… never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."

Those are words we need to heed in these times of great opportunity and great opposition (1 Corinthians 16:9). When we face setback, opposition, failure, or discouragement, we can rely on and declare a great “Amen” to all of God’s promises and:

Declare the things that are not as though they were. (Romans 4:17)

"We walk by faith not by sight." 2 Cor 5:7

That means we see things in faith BEFORE we see them in the physical world. When things are tough, we need a faith lift.

"For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4

Press on for breakthrough. “If you’re going through hell, keep going” is a great addage. As I like to say, “It came to pass, not to stay.” The greatest resistance is usually right before the breakthrough. It’s darkest before the dawn. The enemy wants us to settle for sub-par or even with a “that's just par for the course” attitude. But God wants us to succeed, not merely survive.

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13)

“David was greatly distressed… but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6)

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20

Proclaim victory.

In the middle of chaos, pain, or delay, speak life. Speak healing. Speak restoration. Speak what God speaks.

"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move." Matthew 17:20

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37

Don't isolate.

Even heroes of the faith needed help.

Moses had Aaron and Hur to hold up his arms. David had Jonathan and his Mighty Men of Valor. Paul had Barnabas, Silas, and John Mark. Even Jesus had His inner circle.

One of the enemy’s favorite tactics is guerrilla warfare—pick off the isolated stragglers. Let’s not let him.

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2