Daily Stop & Thinks

Opinion

The world is changed by your example not by your opinion. (Paulo Coelho, Brazilian lyricist and novelist)

The belief in relativism makes self the ultimate judge of truth. What is true for you may not be true for me. So, personal opinion seems to be the ruling argument in any debate—whether in things like sports, movies, and TV or in more serious issues like religion or lifestyles. People will not respond so much to our ideas on those matters as to the integrity of our character.

Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions (Proverbs 18:2).

Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching (Titus 2:7).

Failures

Failures are part of life. If you don’t fail, you don’t learn. If you don’t learn, you’ll never change. (Quoted by Pastor Chris Suitt)

How many times have we dreamed of a project, maybe even took the first steps to achieve our dream but gave up early because we feared the project would fail. Every successful inventor, writer, and performer has failed at some point. But they didn’t let that keep them from moving on and keep trying.

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked (Proverbs 24:16).

Success

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. (Colin Powell, late military and political leader)

Many would regard Powell as a success. He was a four-star general, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and the US secretary of state. The story of his life is a demonstration of what he described as the way to succeed. Preparing for work, toiling at it persistently, and growing from experience were the keys to his achievements. No secret, perhaps, but clear steps to follow.

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty (Proverbs 21:5)

Others

Associate with people who are likely to improve you. (Seneca, 4th century BC Roman philosopher)

The philosopher continued: “Welcome those who you are capable of improving. The process is a mutual one: men learn as they teach.” We like to be with people who amuse us or whose company gives us joy and pleasure. That’s as it should be, no doubt. But purposely being around smarter, more experienced, gracious people can be of mutual benefit for learning and growing. Enjoy growing together!

Bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble (Proverbs 13:20).

Labor Day

Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. (Aristotle, 4th century BC Greek philosopher)

This is the day each year when we honor those in the workforce who provide the necessities and often luxuries of life for us. Sometimes work is difficult and tiring, but Aristotle suggests that if we strive for perfection, we can find pleasure and be gratified in our jobs. You may recall that Confucius said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God (Ecclesiastes 2:24).

Habits

Habits eat willpower for breakfast. (John Ortberg, author)

How long did it take you to forget your New Year’s Resolutions this year? Or maybe more realistically, how many times did you decide to diet or give up some unhealthy practice? How long did those decisions last? Ortberg’s observation is a clever reminder of how difficult it is to break longtime habits. Perhaps you should tape this one on your bathroom mirror.

Turn from your evil ways and stop all your evil practices (Zechariah 1:4).

Leadership

Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge. (Simon Sinek, British-American author)

Too many people see leadership as a position from which to take charge of a task to complete the job. While that may be true at times, effective leaders see their role as a responsibility to care for those in their charge to assure their personal well-being and growth. That kind of management will gain a lot of loyalty and assure a great measure of success.

If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. (Romans 12:8, 24)

Solitude

All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone, (Blaise Pascal, 17th century French philosopher)

Pascal’s observation seems too simple. We live in a complicated society, and everyone seems too busy to sit quietly for any length of time. Have you tried it lately? Get away alone; put away your cell phone and tablet; avoid social media of every kind and just sit. Most of us have a hard time doing that because our minds rush to all there is to do. Yet, solitude may, indeed, be just what we need to be content.

Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” (Mark 6:31).

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him (Psalm 62:5).

Becoming

The goal is never the goal itself. The goal is who you need to become in order to achieve that goal. (Kary Oberbrunner, motivational speaker and author)

It’s a different way of thinking, isn’t it? We usually think that the basic question is what’s the goal, what are we aiming for? A moms’ coach, Katelyn Denning puts it another way, “The best part about setting a goal is who you need to become in order to achieve it.” A worthy goal requires a worthy effort from a person who is, or becomes, all he or she needs to be to succeed.

If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit . . . The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life . . . Walk with the wise and become wise. (Proverbs 9:12; 11:30; 13:20)

Working Together

In joined hands there is still some token of hope; in the clenched fist, none. (Victor Hugo, 19th century French novelist and playwright)

Hugo’s observation would be a help in our modern society where there is so much turmoil. We take sides—usually to extremes—where there is no room to come to a settled compromise. The “clenched fist” could certainly be the identifying logo for public demonstrations and cruel social media comments. Pray that we can find ways to join hands in combating the evils that haunt us.

From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward (Proverbs 12:14).

Integrity

Often, if there is no risk of loss or painful consequences, one will never know if one has integrity. (Sam Storms, teacher and author)

Storms continues, “One will never know if what motivates you is moral conviction or moral convenience until you are forced to suffer loss for standing your ground or keeping your word.” These words are especially challenging: “Moral conviction or moral convenience.” It may be easier sometimes to give in rather than stand up; that’s where our integrity is tested.

All [God’s] commandments are trustworthy. They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity . . . Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord (Psalm 111:7-8; 119:1).

Soul Care

We work, we play…we work, we play–but our spirits are neglected in the cycle. (William Wilberforce, 18th-19th century British statesman)

The 21st century doesn’t seem to be much different. Appearing to be successful, multitudes of businessmen and women are workaholics. They put in many hours of work, and when they take some time off, it’s usually to be involved in fitness or sports activities at great expense and exertion. Many of the same people sense loneliness and frustration for the lack of soul care.

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? (Matthew 16:26)