Daily Stop & Thinks

Others

A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle. (Benjamin Franklin)

We’ve all known people like Franklin writes about. The self-centered person is difficult to be around, and certainly almost impossible to engage in a meaningful two-way conversation. But, aren’t we all a bit like that? We are so consumed with our own interests and involvements that we often don’t see the other person’s value or needs and how we might profit from or help them.

Don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too (Philippians 2:3-4)

Purpose

Great minds have purposes, others have wishes. (Washington Irving, 19^th century writer)

“I wish I could run in the Olympics.” “I wish I could be a concern pianist.” The wish list could go on and on. We have wishes to be or to do, but wishing by itself won’t work. Irving may be suggesting that we need to turn our wishes into iron-clad purposes. Evaluate your abilities and opportunities, plan well, then set out to achieve your “wish.” And … seek God’s purpose.

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail (Proverbs 19:21).

So I run with purpose in every step (1 Corinthians 9:26).

Love

Everybody wants to change the world; nobody wants to love their neighbor! (John Burke, author)

Looking at our troubled world with wars, natural disasters, and viruses we have probably all said at one time or another, “If only… I would…” We’d create changes that would solve all our problems and resolve conflicts. There is a biblical concept, however, that really offers the only earthly solution to conflict. We talk and sing about it, but do we practice genuine love?

Love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31).

Let love be your highest goal… Do everything with love (1 Corinthians 14:1; 16:14).

Questions and Answers

[Pay] more attention to the question than to the answer and never [be] afraid to go in an opposite direction to find a solution. (Richard Saul Wurman, author)

There are two ways to consider this advice: 1) A good question may, indeed, cause you to think differently and actually change your mind, deciding to move in a new direction. 2) Pay attention to the questioner before you start forming your answer mentally. When we answer too quickly, we may miss the questioner’s intention entirely. Listen well! Respond thoughtfully.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen [and] slow to speak (James 1:19).

Discernment

In our world, cultivating discernment is a necessary antidote to deception. (John Stonestreet, columnist)

Stonestreet continues, “Too often, we are oblivious to the cultural currents around us. As the old Chinese proverb goes, ‘If you want to know what water is, don’t ask the fish.’” When you’re in the midst of confusing ideas, it’s sometimes difficult to distinguish the true from the false. To avoid deception, determine truth and reality and make them your starting point.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”. . .  Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth (John 14:6; 17:17).

Others

We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men. (Herman Melville, 19^th century American novelist)

The recent “lockdown” because of a virus threat is a perfect example of what Melville wrote. We certainly learned, as John Donne wrote long ago, that “No man is an island.” The weak, elderly, and most vulnerable discovered quickly how dependent they were on the help of others. And the rest of us experienced the joy of serving them.

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies (1 Peter 4:11).

Thankfulness

The unthankful heart . . . discovers no mercies; but . . . the thankful heart will find some heavenly blessings! (Henry Ward Beecher, 19^th century clergyman)

He writes that “. . . as a magnet attracts iron, so the grateful heart, sweeping through the day, will find good things” (paraphrased). To put it poetically, the attitude of gratitude will change the way you handle the varied experiences of your everyday life. Be thankful and share your gratitude with others. It will change them, too.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Know Yourself

The key to human development is building on who you already are. (Tom Rath, consultant)

He also argues, “You cannot be anything you want to be” in contrast to the often heard statement, “You can be anything you want to be, if you just try hard enough.” Not everyone has the innate skills or the circumstances to achieve certain lofty goals. It’s better, he suggests, to assess who you are, evaluate your skills, and build on that strong foundation.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3).

Hypocrisy

The most virtuous are those who content themselves with being virtuous without seeking to appear so. (Plato, ancient Greek philosopher)

Have you ever known someone who acted humble in public, but behind the scenes, you knew he or she was full of pride? Any attempt to appear honorable was ruined by the terrible truth of the person’s real life. We correctly identify such behavior as hypocrisy. But, before you throw any stones, take a long look at your own mind and motives. Does your life truly reflect what’s in your heart?

How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye (Matthew 7:4-5).

Tomorrow

Procrastination is one of the most common and deadliest of diseases and its toll on success and happiness is heavy. (Wayne Gretzky, Canadian athlete)

Or, as Victor Kiam said, “Procrastination is opportunity’s assassin.” It’s a widespread “disease” among multitudes of people. We just find it so much easier to put off any task—unpleasant or worthwhile–that waits to be done. Too often we find ourselves saying, “If only I had …,” thinking of those really good ideas that we didn’t follow through on. As Nike says, “Just do it.”

When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through. . . Keep all the promises you make to him (Ecclesiastes 5:4).

Friendship

A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails. (Donna Roberts)

Sharing life with friends is one of life’s most enjoyable experiences. Long-time friendships are even more beneficial when we encounter the difficulties of aging. To be reminded by our friends of the happy times makes our troubles a little easier to handle. Working, playing, and just being together over time builds a solid relationship for mutual benefit.

A friend is always loyal. . . The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. (Proverbs 17:17; 27:9)

Story-telling

Share stories purposefully; stories stick; facts fade. (Craig Groeschel, leadership speaker)

Of the innumerable lectures you’ve heard, how many do you remember? What is it you most likely remember—the history and the facts? Most of us recall the stories. They not only kept our interest during the lecture, but they often illustrated some truth that has stuck with us. In your conversations, don’t avoid facts, but do use good stories to make your point.

[Jesus] taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables (Mark 4:2).