Success factors

I read the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell recently which looks into the behind-the-scene stories of successful people such as Bill Gates and Bill Joy.  Once you know their stories, you would recognise that they are not outliers or one in a hundred kind of occurrence.  But rather they are those who had been given opportunities and they "strike while the iron is hot".  It was also a combination of history, community and legacy as well.   It is an interesting read and I would recommend that you read it if you have not already done so.

There is a chapter on the 10,000 hour rule whereby he explored those who had the opportunity to hone their talent or craft by being at the right place and the right time.  The amount of time that Bill Gates and the Beatles were able to build up their computer knowledge and singing talent respectively totaled more than 10,000 hour before the age of 20.  And when they were at the prime of their life, they stood out and became famous.  This speaks, of course, about hard work and our willingness to hone our talent/skill when given the opportunity to do so.  Even though work may be hard but if it's accompanied by a sense of purpose (meaning) and satisfaction, the rewards will be great. 

The Bible mentions that whatever a man sows that he shall reap (Gal 6:7).  If we are prepared to cultivate the value of hard work in our lives and in the lives of our children, we shall certainly reap success, at least in the material sense.   The wise man in Proverbs made a number of proclamations concerning the diligent and lazy person:

"He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich."  Pr 10:4 (NKJV)

"The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor."  Pr 12:24 (NKJV)

"The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich."  Pr 13:4 (NKJV)

Inasmuch as we put in effort in our study or career/business, likewise, we need to put in effort in our daily Word intake.  Paul exhorted Timothy (and us) to "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." (2 Tim 2:15 NASB). The Word of God is able to guide us in our life's journey and our success in this life (and the life to come) is dependent on us meditating on Sciptures.  And mind you, the success God has for us is not necessary in dollars and cents.  It could be peace of mind, divine health and strength, and bringing people into the kingdom of God.

'This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success."  Josh 1:8 (NASB)

May we learn to walk in the success and prosperity of God in 2013. 

Blessed New Year 2013!

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go."      Is 48:17 (NASB)

As humans living in time, this is the beginning of a new year based on the Gregorian calendar, used by most of the world. A new year usually marks a new beginning.  When the Lord instituted the Passover during the time of deliverance for the Israelites, he told Moses "This month (Nisan) shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year to you." (Ex 12:2).  The religious calendar introduced by the Lord signifies and foreshadows the great work of redemption and celebration He was about to bring to the world starting with the feast of Passover (Pesach) all the way to the feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).   Even though God lives outside of time in eternity, He has planned times and seasons that would take place on earth to herald the second coming of Jesus Christ (Acs 3:19-21). 

In this new year, we may have plans or concerns relating to finances, health or relationships.  Surely, they are valid - without any source of income, it would be difficult to live and support ourselves and our loved ones; if we have to cope with an illness or support someone who does, it would also take a toll on us; building strong family and friendship ties are important, at the same time, we need to have the courage to break off unwholesome ties that have a negative influence on us (1 Cor 15:33).  Where relationships are concerned, it's important to be freed emotionally, that is, forgive those who have hurt us as well as recieve forgiveness from those whom we have hurt (Mt 6:14-15).  

Let us commit all our plans for the new year to the Lord (Pr 16:3).  Is 48:17 tells us that God is our teacher who will show us what is the best for our lives.  The wise man says that the plans of the heart belong to man but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord (Pr 16:1).  Yes, we can go ahead and make plans for our lives but we need to seek the Lord whether it is something that He wants us to do, otherwise we could be running in vain.  The second part of Is 48:17 tells us that God is our leader - He leads us in the way we should go.  There's no two way about it; either you lead or He leads.  To allow God to lead, we need to surrender our lives into His hands.   Submission and surrender to God should be a daily affair as we are prone to take charge of our own lives; to be self-sufficient as opposed to being God-dependent. 

The revelation of God being our teacher and leader (Lord) is also found in Jn 13:13-17 (NASB)
¹³ You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. ¹⁶ Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.     

The disciples of Jesus called him Rabbi and Master.  Noticed that Jesus reveresed the order - Lord and Teacher - to illustrate a point that if He is truly their Lord, then they ought to follow His example as no disciple is greater than the master.  As disciples of Christ, if we follow in His example, we shall be truly blessed!  This is how you and I are going to receive the blessings of 2013 - by following in the footsteps of Jesus.  I wish you Jesus, our Lord and Teacher, in this new year.