«Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge» (Proverbs 19:27),
PERSEVERANCE
Benito Juárez Garcia was born in San Pablo Guelatao (Oaxaca, Mexico), on March 21, 1806. Despite having grown up with great economic shortcomings, Benito managed to overcome many obstacles throughout his life, which forged his character to become a great leader. He learned to read and write at the age of twelve. But he became passionate about reading! This is how he came to read the books that contained the ideas of the French Enlightenment His academic development was impressive. His enormous perseverance and fighting spirit allowed him to complete his law studies. He then opened a law firm and became increasingly involved in political affairs on the side of the liberal party.
Juárez was a deputy and governor of Oaxaca (1847-1852), as well as president of the Justice Supreme Court. He promoted the elaboration of the constitution of 1857 and defended it to the extreme. In 1858, he was elected president of the republic, where he would go through one of the most important moments in his country’s history. One of his most outstanding works was the nationalization of the goods of the clergy, as well as the preparation of a body of advanced laws known as reform laws. The former kept him in constant clash with the Catholic hierarchy, who became his most fierce enemy. Even Juarez himself came to think that «if Mexico were Protestant, the population would at least know how to read.» In addition, he opened the doors to several Christian denominations to evangelize the country.
Benito Juárez endured the armed struggles that his enemies promoted in order to overthrow him, as well as the intervention of France, which imposed the empire of Maximilian of Habsburg from 1862 to 1867. In the end, Juarez won the victory over his adversaries. On July 15, 1867, on the occasion of his triumphant entry into Mexico City, he uttered one of the phrases that made him world famous: «Among individuals as among nations, when there is respect, there is peace.» His last years were not easy, but he remained faithful to his ideals until the end, He died in 1872.
A humble origin is not an obstacle to achieving your dreams. A bad experience in basic education does not prevent you from becoming a good student in the years that follow. The secret is perseverance. The things that are worthwhile are not easily achieved. But in the end, you’ll see that there will be great results.
Today, ask the Lord to help you not to waver in the face of the obstacles that prevent you from reaching your dreams.