"You’ve heard the saying, “Winners never quit and quitters never win.” But maybe we should add to that saying that those who never win and never quit, are likely playing the wrong game.
Quite often we take off on a project with great enthusiasm. We may invest lots of time, energy, and financial resources to get it up and going. But as time passes and we see no results, we find ourselves in the awkward position of determining whether to cut our losses and run or put more resources into the project at the risk of even greater failure.
Often in these cases, our decision is influenced by pride. The thought of having to abandon ship when we boasted of what a great voyage this would be is too humbling for many people.
But as Christians, our decisions must be made on the basis of the best possible stewardship of the time God has given us. That’s why sometimes admitting we were wrong is the best way to redeem the time.
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A church usher noticed a man sprawled out on the pews and asked him to please sit up. The man simply groaned and rolled around. The usher said “If you don’t straighten up I’ll have to call the pastor.” When the man just groaned again, the pastor was called. Trying a more diplomatic approach, he asked, “What’s your name?” “Sam” the man groaned. “Where are you from, Sam?” asked the pastor. Again he groaned, “The balcony.”
That pastor showed some good problem solving skills. Someone said you can measure a leader by the problems he tackles. He always looks for ones his own size. It’s true. Our approach to problem solving is what separates winners from whiners.
Many people procrastinate when problems arise. They let their emotions rule instead of keeping in mind God’s calling for their life and remaining steady. Chances are you are facing a problem right now. What are you going to do about it? Will you continue to ignore it, or will you confront it and redeem the time.
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I’d like to share with you a little poem called, The Difference:
I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish that I didn’t have time to pray.
Problems just tumbled about me, and heavier came each task,
“Why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered. He answered, “You didn’t ask.”
I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn’t show me. He said, “You didn’t seek.”
I tried to come into God’s presence; I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided, “My child, you didn’t knock.”
I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.
That little poem gets at the essence of what often makes or breaks our day—taking time early in the day to seek God, which is redeeming the time.
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I once heard someone claim he had discovered the key to losing weight. “Just don’t eat cottage chess.” He said, “Because nobody but fat people eat the stuff.”
I’m not sure his theory was correct, but I do like the idea of a cottage cheese lunch as a way to redeem the time. For many of us, the hardest part of the day to stay alert and focused is just after the lunch hour. When speaking for a conference, I always hope I don’t get the slot right after lunch because that’s when everyone’s body is diverting energy from mental activity to digestion.
By eating a light lunch, such as cottage cheese, you don’t overload your body in the middle of the day with the unnecessary task of digesting a full course meal. That means you’ll be sharper in the afternoon to do the task God wants you to do.
I can’t say if cottage cheese will make you fat or not. But it might help you redeem the time.
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