The more I know, the less I know. (From a Puritan prayer)
When we’re young, we realize that there is a lot to learn; that’s why we go to school and study. As we grow older, we might tend to think that there isn’t a whole lot more we need to know. With the advance of technology and artificial intelligence, we’re discovering that we really know very little. We must keep learning and growing.
Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15)
Forgiving is not a gift to someone else. Forgiving is your gift to yourself—the gift of happiness. (Jonathan Lockwood Huie, inspirational writer)
We most often think about the offender as the one who needs forgiveness, and, of course, that’s true. But the forgiver is also a great beneficiary when he or she forgives someone for their offense. The long-awaited apology may never come, but forgiving in advance removes that expectation and brings greater freedom.
Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others (Colossians 3:13).
It doesn’t matter how many people say no to you as long as the right people say yes. (Unknown; many have said something similar)
“It’s a good idea, but you won’t be able to do it.” “It will cost too much.” “It’s never worked before.” You can get all kinds of negative feedback when you ask for advice for your pet project. You really want someone to give you support, and you want that encouragement from the people who are intelligent, relevant, and knowledgeable. When they “Yes,” go for it.
The words of the godly encourage many . . . Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them (Proverbs 10:21; Ephesians 4:29)
People who fail in life are people who find lots of excuses. (Dr. Ben Carson, noted neurosurgeon)
Carson served in circumstances where excuses could hardly be tolerated. No matter how rare, mistakes in the medical field have to be corrected immediately or a life might be in danger. No excuse will do. But a mistake should not paralyze a person. We must recognize that improving and moving forward increase the potential for success. Make no excuses, move on ahead.
Someone is watching you closely, you know— Someone not impressed with weak excuses (Proverbs 24:12, The Message).
Where focus goes, energy flows. (Tony Robbins, Life Coach)
Robbins continues: “And where energy flows, whatever you’re focusing on grows.” In our many-faceted world, there is so much to see and experience. Sometimes it’s difficult to concentrate because our interests change. But to be successful, we need to narrow our focus to what’s really important and worthy and give our energy to its pursuit.
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13).
Judging a person does not define who they are. It defines who you are. (Kirk Clulee, author)
We seem to have an innate need to judge other people. Sports fans judge the umpires and referees. Voters judge their political rivals, and TV viewers often think they have a better idea. As Clulee says, however, a critical attitude says more about the critics themselves. Too often it’s a matter of pride and a sense of superiority that reflects poorly on the “judge.”
For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged (Matthew 7:2).
It takes a great deal of courage to stand up against your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends. (J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series)
We admire those defenders who serve in harm’s way to protect our nation, often facing danger or death. With courage in spite of fear, they stand. Could it be harder to confront a friend when you see them doing wrong? Are we tempted to give in rather than risk a friendship? That’s when we need courage to speak truth.
The godly give good advice to their friends . . . Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. (Proverbs 12:26; 27:6)
Everything is as good or as bad as our opinion makes it. (C. S. Lewis, late British apologist)
Lewis has certainly described modern society correctly. Personal opinion rules, it seems. There is little belief in absolute truth. It reminds us of an Old Testament observation that could describe today as well: “All the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Life is much better when the community of people look outside themselves for truth.
God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not. (Epicurus, ancient Greek philosopher)
He continued, “Remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” We seem to have an insatiable desire to have more—more of whatever it is we hope for. More rarely satisfies because when we have it, we’ll want even more. Gratitude for possessing what we once only hoped for will help us learn to be content with all that we have now.
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth (1 Timothy 6:6). I have learned how to be content with whatever I have (Philippians 4:11).
As knowledge increases, wonder deepens. (Charles Morgan, 10th century American railroad magnate)
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. the skies display his craftsmanship” (Psalm 19:1). Observing the skies, especially through today’s telescopes, should create a worshipful sense of amazement. Its beauty, arrangement, and precision are beyond human explanation. The more we learn about it all, the more we must admire its creator.
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth (Isaiah 40:28).
You are valuable just because you exist. (Max Lucado, American minister and author)
Lucado continues, “Not because of what you do or what you have done, but simply because you are.” Though we may place differing levels of value on people because of their achievements (Olympic medal winners, a 4.0 GPA graduate, or a wealthy business tycoon), everyone else has value simply because God created them in his image; That makes us all of equal value.
God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27).
Bridges exist to get us to the other side, not to provide a place to pitch our tents. (Tom Julien, late missionary statesman)
Bridges are examples of amazing architecture and imaginative design. As remarkable as they are, however, we realize that beauty is only a side benefit. Their purpose is to move people across a dividing chasm between destinations. Bridges are a great analogy of personal relationships. We don’t just admire ways to meet people, we cross over to create relationships for mutual benefit.
I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some (1 Corinthians 9:22).