Daily Stop & Thinks

Pleasure

Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it. (Søren Kierkegaard, 19^th century Danish philosopher)

2020 has begun like every other year—people seem to be rushing here and there to fill their unquenchable thirst for pleasure. Whether it’s sports, video games, or any other of hundreds of fun pursuits—it all seems to end in frustration. There’s never enough of it; we always want more. Meantime, we’ve missed the joy of the everyday pursuits we’ve passed by along the way.

Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the “good things” in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 2:1)

Friends

Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold. (Girl Scout song)

Meeting new people and becoming friends is a joyful experience of life for those who want to make new connections. Both short-term and long-term relationships are of value, but it takes a while to develop friendships that are more intimate and responsible. It may begin with simple companionship, but over time closeness develops and becomes golden.

A friend is always loyal. . .  a real friend sticks closer than a brother. . . The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. . . As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 17:27; 18:24; 27:9, 17)

Change

If a person sees no benefit to change, they will not change. (Byron Pulsifer, writer)

He continues, “Each person has a choice; the choice to do as one may wish and as one wants remains with the individual.” Choices and change are two ever-present realities of life that we all have to deal with repeatedly. Change is inevitable, whether we choose it or not. So, how we handle change is our choice. It’s safest to anchor to the unchanging One.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

Leaders

A leader that cannot be trusted or respected is not a leader—he is an office holder. (Jeff Bogue, pastor)

It’s a tragedy when we discover that someone in a government or community position of influence cannot be trusted. He or she may still hold the office and exercise certain powers of their authority, but it’s a sad state of affairs. In our elections, we should look for people who are not only gifted and capable but who also demonstrate integrity and are trustworthy.

Wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. (Proverbs 28:2)

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

Teaching

We cannot teach what we do not know, and we cannot lead where we do not go. (Hirsch and Catchim, authors)

Have you ever been asked to lead a discussion on a topic you really didn’t understand? If you have, you know that’s a really tough situation. What may even be worse, however, is to be expected to lead a group someplace that you’ve never been, especially if it’s an academic assignment or project. Study and experience really are the prerequisites for effective teaching.

Promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. . .  And you yourself must be an example to them. . .  Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. (Titus 2:1, 7)

Attitude

Greatness is revealed mainly in our attitude. (Chuck Swindoll, pastor, author)

What sets apart men and women who succeed in their chosen fields but are honored more than some others who have also achieved a lot? The accomplishments may be of equal value and importance, but the attitudes might be very different. Some may be proud and boastful; others humble and grateful. They are the achievers we most want to be like.

All of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. (1 Peter 3:8)

Legacy

Legacy isn’t leaving something for people; it’s leaving something in people. (Greg Groeschel, leadership speaker)

When we begin to consider what we might leave our children, we’re usually thinking of estate issues: houses, personal property, and finances. Groeschel, however points out what is really so much more important. What kind of people will our heirs be? What have we helped develop in them that will have a beneficial impact on others?

[Those that fear the Lord] share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. (Psalm 112:9)

Plan and Act

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps. (Confucius, early Chinese philosopher)

We’re into month two of the New Year and, perhaps, we’re disappointed in our progress in achieving the goals we had set for 2020. It would be good to follow this bit of Chinese wisdom. It may be easier to change the goals, but it will mean that we will certainly fall short of what we had hoped to accomplish. Better to reevaluate our action plan before moving on.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3)

Directions

If you know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else. (Yogi Berra, late baseball star)

This is one of many Yogi malapropisms that clearly reflects the famous Murphy’s Law: “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” In spite of our best intentions, we sometimes think we know where we’re headed, but if we don’t follow the directions carefully, we will find ourselves where we didn’t intend to be. Get good directions—and follow them!

Now, my son, may the Lord be with you and give you success as you follow his directions… (1 Chronicles 22:11)

Kindness II

Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person. (C. Neil Strait, church leader and author)

We sometimes think that to help people we have to give them something tangible like clothes, food, or money. That’s all good, of course, but often all that someone may need is just a bit of conversation, an expression of concern, or a light touch. When we learn to live with an attitude of kindness, it will no doubt enable us to be a needed help to many we meet in daily life.

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Kindness I

Join the great company of those who make the barren places of life fruitful with kindness. (Helen Keller, deaf-blind author)

Keller continues, “Your success and happiness lie in you . . . The great enduring realities are love and service.” It’s too true that “barren places” abound; they’re in the crowded cities and rural areas. More serious is the barrenness of soul that cripples so many people, who live without hope. We should heed Keller’s advice, sharing love, kindness, and service to the desolate.

We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. (2 Corinthians 6:6)

Purpose II

I shall live badly if I do not write, and I shall write badly if I do not live. (Francoise Sagan, 20^th century French playwright)

When you have an insatiable passion to pursue one course in life, it often becomes a search for perfection. It’s the old dilemma again. Which is the better argument? 1) Anything worth doing is worth doing well or 2) if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing even poorly.” It’s good to have a purpose and try to do it to the best of your ability, but remember, life is not one-dimensional.

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. (1 Corinthians 9:26)