GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: January 27, 2022

Usefulness

It’s not in what we do not have, but in the way we use what we do have. (Charles Munson, late Canadian political figure)

How often have you heard the excuse (maybe you’ve used it yourself) that “if I only had this or that, I’d be able to . . .” A better tool, a more convenient workspace—the list of “wants” could be endless. Munson gives us another perspective. Take inventory of what you do have and ask how you can use them to complete your project.

The diligent make use of everything they find. (Proverbs 12:27)

Stop & Think: January 26, 2022

Your Future

The best way to predict the future is to invent it. (Alan Kay, American computer scientist)

Some people are so concerned about the future that they consult astrologers, tarot card readers, and other seers to give them assurance about what’s ahead. There’s not much to gain from such pursuits. There’s no way to know what your future holds, but you can” invent”—plan, prepare, and work hard, using the gifts and dreams God has given you.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)

Stop & Think: January 25, 2022

Serving

The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve. (Albert Schweitzer, 19th-20th century Alsatian humanitarian)

That was the one thing Schweitzer said he knew about others whose destiny he didn’t know. He had given his life in a variety of ways, including giving benefit concerts in Europe to raise funds for his medical work in Africa. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952, he was recognized as a true servant to all whom he could help. Certainly, a worthy example to follow.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (1 Peter 4:10)

Stop & Think: January 24, 2022

Stick to It

Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn. (Harriet Beecher Stowe, 19th-century American author)

One of life’s hardest decisions may very well be when to quit. Whether it’s a career question or working on a project that isn’t going well. Sometimes it’s just too easy to give up and move on to something else. But patience and perseverance may be all that’s needed to keep going and discover that you really can succeed in the career or the project.

I don’t mean to say that I have . . .  already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. (Philippians 3:12)

Stop & Think: January 23, 2022

Finding Fault

To find fault is easy; to do better may be difficult. (Plutarch, ancient Greek philosopher)

Things must not have been much different in the first century before Christ. Finding fault is still an easy practice for too many of us. When we are critical of others and their work, we often are speaking out of a sense of pride as if we wouldn’t make the same kinds of mistakes. How much better it would be if we were simply to work hard to do better at our own work and service.

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. (Ephesians 4:2)

Stop & Think: January 22, 2022

Planning

Most of us spend more time planning for one week of vacation than planning for our destiny in life. (Michael Hyatt, leadership author)

A trip to Disney World at Christmas or the oceanfront cottage in the summer—either takes a lot of planning. Travel, accommodations, clothing—all, and more, have to be thought through well in advance, requiring lots of time. But what about planning for your education, your career, your job advancement? And, more importantly, have you made plans for eternity?

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? (Mark 8:36)

Stop & Think: January 21, 2022

Perfection

Perfection intimidates; compassion inspires. (Lysa TerKeurst, author)

Are you a perfectionist? Everything on your desk has to be in perfect order and alignment. You shudder if you make the slightest mistake in speech or writing—or when anyone else does. It would no doubt improve our relationships if we could learn to express compassion, not criticism, toward others. And TerKeurst also advises: “Give yourself permission to not be perfect.”

Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25)

Stop & Think: January 20, 2022

Humor

One can never speak enough of the virtues, the dangers, the power of shared laughter. (Francoise Sagan, late French screenwriter)

A little, hard-to-suppress giggle can sometimes relieve the tension of a potentially unpleasant conversation. Even in the midst of a strong dispute over some personal disagreement, a funny pun or gesture might just create a more agreeable atmosphere to continue a profitable discussion. A little humor can really go a long way.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. …a time to cry and a time to laugh. (Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 4)

Stop & Think: January 19, 2022

Values

What is worth most is often valued least. (Aesop’s Fables)

Give a toddler a gold piece and a red balloon, and he will almost certainly choose the balloon to play with. He hasn’t developed a sense of values yet—and we don’t expect him to. But for a young star athlete, the choice between a promised rise in a short-term sporting event and a secure career that will bring rewards only after steady longtime effort will be a good test of his values.

But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. (1 Corinthians 3:13)

Stop & Think: January 18, 2022

Hard Times

Adversity is what we look for, because in adversity there is opportunity. (Lou Holtz, noted football coach)

Holtz’ comment is another counter-intuitive idea. Who, after all, really looks for adversity? Most of us try to avoid hardship as much as we can, and we don’t often respond to it well. But, if we look back to some of life’s difficult times, we might realize that it was at those times we learned not only to cope well but to move forward as we grasped a new opportunity to advance.

Though the Lord gave you adversity . . .  he will still be with you to teach you (Isaiah 30:20).

Stop & Think: January 17, 2022

True Friendship

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Today we honor a man who gave his life in the pursuit of tolerance and equality, virtues that continue to need emphasis and support. His statement is a reflection, too, of historical eras when regular citizens, who felt safe, failed to speak out about injustice to others. “See something, say something” might be wise words when we consider the inalienable rights we enjoy.

There is joy for those who deal justly with others and always do what is right. (Psalm 106:3)

Stop & Think: January 16, 2022

Contentment

To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness. (From a Norman Rockwell painting)

At first reading, that doesn’t sound right, does it? Most people seem unable to be happy unless they have what they want—and when they want it. The more we have the happier we should be, the world tells us. But we only have to look around us to see that having more doesn’t guarantee happiness. Learning to do with less is a great step toward a sense of contentment.

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.  . . .  I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with . . . plenty or little. (Philippians 4:11-12)