Daily Stop & Thinks

Courage

The brave man is not he who is not afraid, but he who conquers that fear. (Nelson Mandela, late president of South Africa)

Mandela had suffered long imprisonment for his public engagement in efforts to bring equality to the citizens of his country. He said, “I learned that courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.  What a challenge to us to pursue justice and not to give up when it’s tough but to endure for the sake of what is right.

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Success

God does not require that we succeed; he only requires that you try. (Mother Teresa)

Illusive success is what aspiring athletes, entertainers, and entrepreneurs are hoping for. But for the world-famous nun who gave her life to alleviate the suffering of the poor, the gaining of fame and possessions was not what she worked for. She believed that God is pleased with those who pursue him and demonstrate faithfulness. That was success to her and should be to us as well.

It is required in stewards that one be found faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2). Jesus: “If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15).

Perspective

You don’t climb mountains to get to the top; you climb them to see what other mountains there are to climb. (TV commercial)

This TV commercial raises the question of perspective. Why climb the mountain? Some do it just “because it’s there.” Others because they want a better view of the area. A few, apparently, accept this challenge just to see if there are higher, more difficult tests to pursue. In any case, climbing can be really good for you when you are prepared and have a good purpose in mind.

Wisdom

God is God, and I am not.

Songwriter Stephen Curtiss Chapman penned those familiar words and added: “I can only see a part of the picture he’s painting.” Many have made that same observation, and one added that “Humility is simply accepting that fact.” Too often we live as if we are in control and can make the best decisions. With our limited knowledge, it’s best to rely on the true source of wisdom.

Be still, and know that I am God! . . . Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. (Psalm 46:10; 111:10)

Change

The best part of wanting to change the world…is [that] ultimately, YOU will be changed in the process. (Eugene Cho, world hunger relief advocate)

When you study an issue, hoping for change, you often find that your heart and mind change. You likely become more involved in the solution rather than merely studying the problem. If there is any hope to resolve the world-wide problems of hunger, poverty, illiteracy, and social justice, it will depend on the changes in individuals before significant changes in society at large.

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:8)

Significance

Significance is about who we are before it is about what we do. (John Ortberg, American author and speaker)

There is no doubt that we are living in significant times. And sometimes we are challenged to be significant, to live significant lives. But Ortberg suggests something far more important. In the long run, it’s not so much what you do but what you are. Even less noteworthy achievements can have a great impact when they are demonstrated by a life of integrity and good character.

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:11). 

Thanksgiving

I have found that viewing life through a lens of gratitude can change everything. (Vaneetha Rendall Risner, author)

It’s a pity that many people celebrate Thanksgiving on only one day in the year. It is a great time for family and friends to enjoy fellowship, good food, and fun together, but it ought to happen more often than on the fourth Thursday of November. Risner points out that life can be enjoyed and celebrated when we adopt an attitude of gratitude year-round.

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude (1 Timothy 4:4).

Character #2

People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character. (Ralph Waldo Emerson 19th century American essayist)

Emerson’s observation may be even more obvious today than three centuries ago. Extreme political positions—whatever your party affiliation—tell a lot about what you believe but even more about your character. We may be able to discover the virtues someone has by the issues she supports in the public square. And that should help us determine who and what to support.

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Character #1

When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost. (Billy Graham, late evangelist)

Graham’s comment about wealth would likely be very disturbing to many people—especially the rich. The accumulation of wealth is a life-long pursuit for some people. In reality, of course, when you die, your wealth goes to someone else. One’s health is of great value, of course, but it’s gone at death, too. But your reputation remains as a witness to your value as a person.

But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value (1 Corinthians 3:13).

Be Glad

We are too prone to engrave our trials in marble and write our blessings in sand. (Charles Spurgeon, 19th century English preacher)

Many people remember their difficulties and hold on to those memories for a long time. On the other hand, others of us appreciate our good experiences for a time, but they don’t linger in our minds. Life would be so much more pleasant if we could just learn from the tough times and move on. Remembering and reciting the blessings will really fill our minds with lasting joy.

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5).

What’s Best?

Pursuing whatever we desire is not what is best for the world. (James Emory White, pastor)

White goes on; “What is best for the world is when we submit our desires to what is best for the world. We’re often pretty selfish about the things we want. For our own comfort or benefit, we wish certain things could change. But those changes might not be good for everyone else.” White is right. We can be content when what we want is what is really good for everyone, including us.

Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desire.  … You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. (1 Peter 1:14; 4:2).

Moving On

Don’t carry your mistakes around with you. Instead, place them under your feet and use them as steppingstones to rise above them. (Author unknown)

What do we do with our mistakes? Deny or ignore them? Pretend they didn’t happen? Are our minds continually reminding us of past failures? It would be better just to acknowledge them. If others are involved, apologize and ask for forgiveness. It would be equally important to evaluate them carefully, take steps to correct and improve. That could lead to progress and satisfaction.

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do (James 1:25).