Charles F. Kettering was Vice President of General Motors for many years and a prolific inventor who helped shape the twentieth century. He believed that the easiest way to overcome defeat was simply to ignore completely the possibility of failure and to keep forging ahead. While lecturing, he once told a group of students how he gave a very tough project to a young researcher at General Motors without telling him that many more gifted researchers had tried the same project and given up. Kettering withheld these preliminary results from the young researcher and challenged him daily to keep on keepin’ on. Kettering had an abundance of what he called “intelligent ignorance,” a persistent willingness to try mixed with a kind of well-informed curiosity, and he tried to instill it in the young minds around him. The young researcher persevered and challenged himself to find the answer. A few months later Kettering received a report that the researcher had in fact succeeded in doing what the others had said was impossible!
Jimmy Johnson, the former CEO of PepsiCo, said, “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” It takes a little extra time…a little extra effort… a little extra care… a little extra attention sometimes to make the difference between success and failure, and not only that, but the difference between good and great. While there are many different definitions for the concept of “greatness,” two consistent traits are resilience and hard work.
Scripture tells us, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NIV). God wants our efforts to be pure and enthusiastic so that each of us might be great and so that He might receive the glory. Jesus reminded His disciples of this point when He challenged them to work diligently. He wanted them to know that greatness was not about wisdom, title, position, fame, or fortune. It was about an attitude of the heart. Jesus said, “For the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great” (Luke 9:48b). Being great is about working hard with a servant’s heart and sticking with it.
Paul is often thought of as one of the greatest apostles and one of the most important figures in Christianity. Think of all he endured to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ: imprisonment, beatings, stoning, shipwrecks, dangers, hostile mobs, hunger, thirst, cold, sleeplessness, anxiety, and betrayal. Imagine if he had thrown up his hands in bitterness and disgust. He did not focus on his circumstances; he focused on the task before him.
Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:11-13
Personal Application: Whatever God has called you to, however He has asked you to serve, set your mind to the task, and press on with all your might. Jesus taught: “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26b). Do you desire what it takes to be great, not for your sake but for the Lord’s glory? Have you learned to persevere, depending on God in your circumstances?
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5