Daily Stop & Thinks

Making a Difference I

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little. (Edmund Burke, 18^th century Irish statesman)

With a sense of inadequacy, we may shy away when we see someone—or a group—in need of help. If a family suffers a great tragedy, perhaps a house fire, and we do nothing because we know we can’t provide all that will be needed to rebuild and refurnish—what a shame! We could at least encourage others to join us in raising support for the great need. “Every little bit helps.”

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” (Proverbs 3:27-28)

Debate

Respect for the right of another to be wrong does not mean that the wrong is right.

Calm and civil debate is almost non-existent in today’s confused society. Allowing someone to voice a contrary opinion is simple courtesy and shows a willingness to learn. However, a willingness to hear an idea for discussion doesn’t mean you acknowledge that it is right. The purpose of discussion is to learn before making judgments.

So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. (1 Corinthians 1:20)

Leadership

Your job as a leader is to paint a picture of the future and call people to it. (Carey Nieuwhof, podcaster‏)

We might think of a leader simply as the person who is in front of the troops or is the chairman of a committee. In both cases, he or she is appointed to make sure the team “gets the picture” and completes the job. Nieuwhof, however, raises the standard for leadership quite a bit. The followers will do a much better job if they understand the plan and feel called to complete it.

If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. (Romans 12:8)

Appreciation 

A person who feels appreciated will always do more than is expected. (Source unknown)

We’ve all heard too many complaints from people who don’t like or are dissatisfied with their jobs. Their quotas are too high; their fellow workers are slackers; the boss is demanding. What it often comes down to is simply that no one ever commends them for their work or says thanks. No doubt we can relieve a lot of this frustration if we could just learn to show appreciation.

You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well. (1 Corinthians 16:18)

Activity

There are exactly twenty-four hours in each day. . . Your time is fixed. (Dave Phelps, management consultant)

Phelps: “Managing your time isn’t the real issue. What you need is to manage the activities that are consuming your time.” A lot of us really do struggle to manage our time. We use calendars, appointment books, and devices, and still struggle to keep it all straight. Perhaps we should consider ways to make choices to evaluate, adjust, and even eliminate some of our activities.

I discovered that there is ceaseless activity, day and night. . . Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool. (Ecclesiastes 8:16; 5:3)

Limits and Aging

Every phase of life has new limits to embrace. . . Whereas children age out of their limits; old people age into them. (Tim Sprankle, blogger)

The older you grow, the more you recognize your limitations. Memory begins to fade; energy is disappearing; hearing is more difficult, and much more. You can’t remember much about last week, but you can recall with some clarity events from your childhood. Sprankle writes, “One of the greatest ways to fight bitterness is to embrace limits.” 

Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise. . . When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. (Ecclesiastes 7:10; 11:8)

Starting and Finishing

Things are always at their best in the beginning. (Blaise Pascal, 17^th century French philosopher)

Is this always true? For sure, we like the smell and appearance of a new car (which don’t last long), and a freshly baked apple pie is never as good later. But, on the other hand, the finished work of an artist or composer may seem to improve over time. And, surely, the love of a young couple may grow deeper and stronger as time goes on. Begin well, but finish well, too.

Finishing is better than starting. (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (2 Timothy 4:7)

Old Age

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm. (Henry David Thoreau, 19^th century naturalist)

It’s a sad thing, isn’t it, to see some elderly people rocking away the last days of their life, often in front of a TV that’s always on. There are others, no matter their age, who somehow find it possible to be as physically active as possible, always engaged mentally and interacting socially with those around them.

Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. (Psalm 71:18)

Leadership

The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say Thank You. In between the leader is a servant. (Max DiPree, late American businessman and writer)

To follow the leader, people need to understand his view of reality. Are his feet solidly “on the ground?” Then, what is his leadership style? As he or she gives direction, is it with a sort of dictatorial manner, or do they learn and serve right along with the team? And then, when the task is completed (and often along the way), do they show appreciation for their teammates’ work?

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

Humility

Humility is thinking of others rather than yourself. (C. S. Lewis, late British scholar)

Or, as he put it elsewhere: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.” From the earliest stages of life, we are self-absorbed. It’s a while before babies begin to “see” other people as distinct from themselves. Some of us never seem to mature enough to recognize the value of people as individuals just like us.

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)

Civility               

Civil discourse isn’t the answer to everything, but uncivil discourse isn’t the answer to anything. (N. T. Wright, British Bible scholar) 

There are a lot of pleas around the world for a return to civility. There doesn’t seem to be any venue where there can be calm discussion on the many controversial issues of the day. As Wright says, not everything can be resolved simply because we are civil in our discourse, but it is obvious that the lack of civility isn’t helpful at all. 

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. (Proverbs 15:2)

Doing Better                

Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. (Maya Angelou, late American poet and author)

It’s good advice. Even when we’ve done the very best we can, improvement may be possible. Not necessarily making what we did better but learning how to expand or go a bit further in our project. Continuing to study and learn will reveal new ways to advance personally and in our work. Never stop learning and doing better.

I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things. (Revelation 2:19)