I recently ran across this story:
In a somewhat recent story in the L.A. Times, legendary coach John Wooden gave a different take on his famous saying, “Be quick but don’t hurry.” During UCLA’s game against Kansas, Wooden noticed Kansas was sometimes out of control and hurried too much. “I call that activity without achievement;’ said Wooden. (Source)
GETTING NOWHERE QUICKLY
Continuing the basketball theme, a basketball team that continues to aimlessly throw the ball around the perimeter of the defense without ever looking to attack will soon discover that the shot clock is quickly winding down and they’ve got to launch something up or they’ll turn the ball over with a shot clock violation. That kind of offense is, as Coach Wooden put it, “activity without achievement.” Too many unproductive trips down the court like that and they’ve got no shot at winning the game.
We sometimes do the same thing in life. We busy ourselves with a flurry of activity but seldom question whether our activity is achieving anything significant. We figure that as long as we’re doing stuff, good things must be happening. That’s not necessarily the case. Honestly, one of the hardest things to do in life is think clearly and well. It’s so much easier to avoid tough questions and just mindlessly go with the flow.
GETTING SOMEWHERE RIGHT ON TIME
The key to personal effectiveness, to achieving anything worthwhile, is to trust the Lord for a game plan and for the ability to execute it. We can accomplish more in an hour with His help than we can in a week without it. Or, as Psalm 127:1 puts it: “Unless the LORD builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain.” So go ahead and work hard. But be smart about it.
QUESTIONS FOR THE MEN OF STEEL TO CONSIDER
1. Have you ever been called a work-a-holic? Why?
2. What does Solomon renounce in Ps 127:1? How do those who rely upon their own efforts see their work? (127:2)
3. Is the beginning of this psalm tied to the end? What is said about large families? What happens at the gate?
4. Is God building your business? Family? Support systems? Or are you?
5. Jewish society promoted big families. Are the obsolete today? Does society help or hurt family unity?
BOTTOM LINE
Are there areas of your life where you feel like you’re laboring in vain? Ask yourself if you’re trusting the Lord in these areas.
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