Do you see any truly extraordinary workers? They will serve kings rather than ordinary people.
Proverbs 22:29 (NLT)
I wrote last month concerning the value of hard work (diligence) that Solomon says is the key to success in life. I shared with you that I discovered four roadblocks to success: self-centeredness, conceit/arrogance, ignorance, and irresponsibility. I didn't think it quite fair to offer you only half the story, for if there are roadblocks to success, there must likewise be some advice for obtaining success through hard work. My survey of Proverbs did, in fact, prove fruitful in that regard, and I wanted to share the advice I discovered.
First, we simply need to wake up to the reality. Solomon offers in Proverbs 6:9 -- "But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? I want you to learn this lesson." It's like the old Nike commercial used to say, "Just do it!" We have to stop procrastinating if we want to be successful in life. It's true with our salvation, as well. Remember the Aspostle Paul? He said, "For God says, 'At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.' Indeed, God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation." Just do it!
Secondly, we need vision. Proverbs 29:18 says, "Without a vision, the people will perish." Someone as wise as Solomon once said, "If you don't kow where you're going, how will you know when you get there?" Rare are the businesses that ever succeed without vision. Rare are the churches that are healthy and growing without a vision. Rare are the lives that are productive and meaningful without purpose and vision. Vision, in the sense Solomon speaks of, has to do with discovering what God is calling us to do. We define it by our mission in life. What is your mission?
Thirdly, if we want to achieve success in life, we must seek counsel. Proverbs 15:22 warns us that "plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success." We can never get too much good advice. Abraham Lincoln formed a presidential cabinet by surrounding himself with those who had been his rivals because he believed they could offer him solid advice as he led the nation during the Civil War. I love to be able to say that Pat Day at 1st UMC, Shreveport, and Bill Blakely have served me as invaluable counselors over the years. It's always good to call them up, or share a meal together to bounce ideas off them, to challenge my thinking. Find counselors who will lead you in being successful.
Finally, I would say value wisdom if you desire to be successful in life. Solomon counsels in Proverbs 16:16 -- "How much better to get wisdom than gold, and understanding than silver!" Solomon, the richest man in the world, knew there was something more valuable than all his gold and silver. Actually, he knew it was his wisdom that contributed greatly to material success. I would caution us though in measuring success purely in monetary terms. There is more to life than money.
We all want to be measured by our success. If that's true, the key is diligence (hard work). But don't let the hard work be valued only for the economic gain it can bring us. See the necessity of hard work in every area of life -- in your relationships, in your recreation, and most especially in your spiritual life.
Until next time, keep looking up...
