Daily Stop & Thinks

Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important. (Quoted by Charles E. Hummel, author)

Hummel is noted for the expression, “The Tyranny of the Urgent.” We all have fallen prey to the demands of immediacy, sometimes neglecting the really important to take care of the nagging present crisis. Hummel correctly notes that “our dilemma goes deeper than shortage of time; it is basically a problem of priorities.” We must work harder to put first things first.

The more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).

The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. (Amelia Earhart, American aviation pioneer)

From Earhart’s observation, we learn that success is often delayed for one of two reasons. Either we just can’t take the first step or after starting, we give up at some point. Taking action is sometimes delayed because we think we need more information. But there comes a time when we must get off the dime and move on energetically. And then, stick to it!

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways (Proverbs 4:26).

Everyone needs to be valued. Everyone has the potential to give something back. (Princess Diana, late British Princess of Wales)

We hear a lot about self-image, but it’s really self-worth we need to understand. As the princess suggests, every person has value and is capable of making a worthy contribution to society, given the opportunity to do so. When we think of other people, especially those who may seem to be unworthy, remember their value as a person.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27).

Fame doesn’t fulfill you. It warms you a bit, but that warmth is temporary. (Marilyn Monroe, late movie actress)

This is a significant statement from a woman who achieved worldwide fame for the roles she played in films and photos. Seeking security and love, she married often and accepted the public’s accolades. In the end, it was not enough—warm but temporary, as she said—and she took her own life. Better to find fulfillment in loving service rather than in celebrity.

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God (2 Corinthians 9:13).

You can imprison a man, but not an idea. You can exile a man, but not an idea. You can kill a man, but not an idea. (Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan)

These are significant words from a political leader who was later assassinated. Her ideas of democracy and fairness no doubt inspired many who heard those words and then saw the cost of standing for one’s beliefs. Bhutto felt her efforts “gave ordinary people peace, security, dignity, and opportunity to progress.” Stand firm for ideas you know to be true.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist (Ephesians 6:14).

The greatest wealth is health. (Virgil, 1st century B.C. Roman poet)

John Rohn wrote, “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” Most of us take our health for granted until we lose it. When we’re ill or disabled, we are inclined to forget almost anything else—our possessions, our hobbies, our assets. Instead, we long for health. That should encourage us to be better stewards of the bodies God has given us.

Fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones (Proverbs 3:7-8).

Keep your mind going in the right direction, and your life will catch up. (Nick Vujicic, Australian motivational speaker)

It is important to recognize that your mind is really the key in determining your direction and success in life. That critical truth is illustrated so well by Vujicic, who was born without arms or legs. To see him in action is to marvel at how he has overcome his physical limitations. The spiritual dimension in his life has enabled him to move forward with joy.

Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4).

The fool didn’t know it was impossible, so he did it. (Jeevan Darshanam, Indian writer)

This is certainly not an endorsement of fools or foolish ventures. Most likely, it’s intended to encourage hesitant entrepreneurs to venture into the unknown, to try something everyone else thinks can’t be done. The number of such successful ventures must be startling. So, if it’s a worthy project, plan carefully, research diligently; go ahead, try something new.

Everything is possible for one who believes (Mark 9:23). What is impossible with man is possible with God (Luke 18:27).

Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement. (C. S. Lewis, 20th century British fantasy author)

Even in those fantasies that end with “And they lived happily ever after” life is typically beset with all kinds of difficulties before the happy ending. It’s after the resolution of the problems that life becomes happier. The same is true in reality. Real life has its issues and failures, but they can be steppingstones to success and joy.

Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again (Proverbs 24:16).

In the arena of human life the honors and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action. (Aristotle, 4th century B.C. Greek philosopher)

We like to give honor where honor is due. So we honor people whose character qualities we admire. But, it’s the demonstration of those qualities—the lived-out virtues of character that we celebrate. The key, in Aristotle’s words, is “show … in action.” It’s not what one says about himself but what is seen in the way he lives his life that earns respect and honor.

[There will be] glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good (Romans 2:9).

A leader is a peer who does not see himself as superior to or different from his followers. (Author unknown)

A good leader, then, is not an autocrat or a tyrant. He may hold a superior position in order to exercise his proper function, but he is not essentially different from those he is leading. It’s a truth sometimes hard to realize when society seems to evaluate success in terms of “climbing the corporate ladder.” A peer relationship will most often result in shared achievement.

Those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and … like the stars for ever and ever (Daniel 12:3, paraphrased).

A man who is told learns with his head; a man who experiences the lesson learns with his heart. (James Rubert, author)

We might add a third to this formula: hands. With our minds (head) we gain information and make connections and judgments. By doing with our hands, we gain the experience Rupert speaks of. And with the heart we become involved in the sense of compassion and the application of the information and experience we’ve gained.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. . . . As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. (Proverbs 4:23; 27:19)