Steve May, Author at Steve May

Just Like New Year’s Day

I love New Years Day, not only for the bowl games and the black-eyed peas, but for the new beginning it represents. It’s a chance to press “reset.” You can close out last year’s books, leave yesterday behind, and look ahead with a fresh determination to the changes you know you need to make.

This is also why I love Mondays. It’s like a mini-New Year’s Day — and we get 52 of them to work with every calendar year.

Each Monday you can build on the success of last week, or you can wipe the slate clean and give it another go. Or, better yet, you can do a little bit of both.

Today, as you map out your strategy for the coming week, consider focusing on two areas.

1.) Is there a success can you build on? Is there an area in which you can set the bar a little a higher and demand a little more from yourself? Challenge yourself to move to the next level.

2.) Is there an area in which you failed to meet expectations? An area in which you could have done better, should have done better, but didn’t quite measure up? Rather than berating yourself, or throwing in the towel, give yourself permission to try again.
Dozens of items will find their way onto your to-do list this week; I’m encouraging you to zero in on two: one to build on and another to take back into the boxing ring.

Confronting both will keep you moving in the right direction.

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

It’s Monday, friends. It’s like a mini-New Year’s Day. Time to press reset and press on toward the prize.

Seeds of Light

Elizabeth Barrett Browning once said, “Light tomorrow with today.”

I think she’s talking about planting a certain type of seed: doing things each day — even when today is a little dark — to ensure that tomorrow is a little brighter.

This would include, for example, continuing to put money in your savings account even when things are tight financially right now. Or continuing to give your best effort at work even when your future with the company is uncertain. Or continuing to nurture a relationship that might not survive the current storm.

Regardless of what you’re going through today, you need to continue to plant seeds for tomorrow. Sometimes it feels futile — the future has a way of appearing all too uncertain — but we can trust in God’s goodness.

Isaiah promises:

God will greatly bless his people. Wherever they plant seed, bountiful crops will spring up. (Isaiah 32:20)

One Thing I Do

Two hundred years ago Anna Letitia Baurbald wrote, “The most characteristic mark of a great mind is to choose some one important object, and pursue it for life.”

The mark of greatness hasn’t changed. Those who are great pursue one important object — and they do it for life.

Paul said, “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-13)

Paul also said, “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24) He’s telling us that successful accomplishment of our ministry and spiritual ideals should always be our objective.

What one thing do you want to pursue for the rest of your life? I encourage you to follow Paul’s example: put the past behind you once and for all, get your eyes focused on your goal, and pursue it with all your heart.

The Clock and the Calendar

In his sermon “Better Odds” Andy Stanley makes a great statement. He’s talking about waiting on God, and he says something along these lines:

We look at the clock; God looks at the calendar.

One of the most difficult lessons for believers to learn is to wait on God. By nature we’re not patient, and our culture offers little encouragement to develop the habit. We want, we need, we think we deserve everything now.

Remember that Sarah waited until she was old for the son she had always dreamed about; Moses waited for 40 years on the backside of the desert for God’s call; Joseph languished in prison for 15 years before God vindicated him.

Even Paul spent 17 years in preparation before he began the ministry that God called him to on the road to Damascus.

But you can be sure that each of these saints would say it was worth the wait. It always is.

There are, no doubt, a number of things that you are waiting for, too: victory, healing, peace, growth, reconciliation, success.

Today I encourage you to remember one thing: God is on his way.

Sometimes the night seems to last forever. Sometimes his silence seems permanent. That’s because we look at the clock while he looks at the calendar.

Solomon wrote…

God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

We cannot see the whole scope of God’s work, but the scope exists. And we may not see the big picture, but there is one currently in development.

Today might be just another day of waiting for you, but here’s how you can make it better: Take your eyes off the clock and turn them toward Jesus. Spend this time in his presence, waiting in expectation rather than desperation.

God is at work in your work in life, making all things beautiful in their time.

Perfect Peace

Henry Drummond tells the story of two artists who were commissioned to paint a picture depicting perfect peace.

The first artist painted a landscape with a mountain lake: calm, quiet, serene.

The second artist painted a violent waterfall crashing down on jagged rocks, but next to it was a slender birch tree, with a single fragile branch stretched out over the water.

In the fork of the branch was a bird’s nest. Lying in the nest, untroubled, even glistening from the spray of waterfall, was a small bird fast asleep.

This is peace. It’s not the absence of crashing waves, it’s the security of the nest in the midst of the turbulence.

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)

Our challenge today is to look not at the waves, but to find our place of peace in God’s presence.

Lessons From the Crowd

Living in the Nashville area, I am something of a Tennessee football fan — both the Titans and the Volunteers. (Actually, my first love is Oklahoma State football, but that’s not central to today’s post.)

Most football fans are aware that Tennessee lost a thriller to Florida last Saturday — a heart breaking loss.

A quick recap: When Tennessee tied the score with a minute to go, the game seemed headed for overtime. Then, just as time ran out, the Gators won on a 63 yard precision pass play that no one — especially the Vols — saw coming.

After watching the game live on Saturday, I watched it again on the SEC Network playback later in the week, glutton for punishment that I am .

And that’s when I noticed the point I want to make today.

It happened just moments before the winning play. Florida, at their own 35, had just run the ball up the middle for a short gain. Then they wasted some time on the clock before calling time out.

Of course, as I watched the playback, I knew what was coming next.

But those in the stands watching it live didn’t know what was coming next, and the Florida crowd didn’t like the play call at all.

When the clock finally stopped with nine seconds to go, the fans began to boo — loudly. It appeared to them that their team had squandered an opportunity.

As it turns out, the Gators had squandered nothing. On the next play they scored the game-winning touchdown and the rumbling boos were replaced with thunderous cheers and joyous celebration.

Now, here’s my point.

The booing before the winning play was loud. Loud enough to distract a less-than-focused team. Loud enough to rattle a less-than-confident quarterback.

But the Gators, to my chagrin, paid no attention to the noise from the stands. They just ran the next play and won the game in highlight-reel fashion.

There are some lessons to learn here.

First. You can be one play away from an earth-shaking victory … and still get booed.

Second. Those booing you now might be cheering you soon. And vice-versa. Crowds tend to be fickle.

Third. Don’t let the grumbling from the bleachers throw you off your game — especially when you’re trying to correct a mistake. Simply do next what you know you’re called to do, and do it as well as you can.

Last, but not least — if you’re the Vols, cover the deep guy.

Today’s the Day

Mel Fisher spent his life diving for buried treasure.

In the late 1960’s he began a quest for the priceless treasure cargo of the fabled lost Spanish galleon Atocha. Every day, for more than 16 years, Mel, his wife, his children, and his band of “Treasure Salvors” explored the waters off the coast of Florida, in search of riches.

He motivated his team and kept the dream alive by beginning each day’s hunt with the cry: “Today’s the day!”

After more than 16 years of searching, that day arrived. On July 20, 1985 Mel Fisher’s team discovered the Atocha, containing a treasure worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The days of sporadic paychecks and living hand-to-mouth were over for Mel and his team.

OUR SEARCH FOR TREASURE

Solomon tells us that if we’ll search for wisdom the same way Mel searched for riches, we’ll find an even greater reward: the knowledge of God.

The Bible makes the bold promise that within its pages you can discover foundational truths upon which you can build your marriage, your career, your family, your finances, your friendships, your relationship to God, and every aspect of your life.

And the best part is: these truths aren’t elusive. It doesn’t take 16 years to find treasure. When you search the Bible for God’s direction for your life, you can make a new discovery every day.

On one day you’ll be reminded of someone you need to forgive; on another day you’ll get insight in how to deal with a problem at work; on another day you’ll become aware of a sin you need to confess, and on and on.

When you open the pages of your Bible, you can truly say, “Today’s the Day!”

We haven’t been put on earth to stumble in the dark. God’s light is available. He speaks to us each day, giving us the direction we need, if we will only search for it.

In speaking of wisdom for daily living, Solomon said…

If you look for it as silver, and search for it as hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:4-5)

The Willingness to Try Again

Albert Einstein once said, “I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent. Curiosity, obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism, have brought me my ideas.”

He’s saying, basically, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”

He may have understated his intelligence and talent, but he does so to make a point: For more than any other reason, he was successful because he was persistent.

I’m no Einstein, but I can also say that whatever success I have experienced can be attributed to this same principle.

I can also say that my failures weren’t so much the result of a lack of talent or the lack of worthwhile goals; they were the result of quitting too soon.

Solomon said, “For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.” (Proverbs 24:16)

When I struggle with failure in any area, I have to remind myself several times a day that the difference between my being a wise man and a fool … the difference between my being righteous and unrighteous … is determined by my willingness to get back up and try again.

Have you fallen down? Has it happened more than once? If you’re like most, maybe you’re ready to throw in the towel. But remember this: if a good idea is worth one good try, it’s worth a thousand more.

Take another look at the goals God has given you. Then get up, and try again.

Choosing Joy

A Stanford University study in 1994 revealed that happy people and unhappy people tend to have similar life experiences. It’s not that happy people experience one success after another, and unhappy people experience one failure after another. Their lives are pretty much the same in that respect.

The difference, the study concluded, is that the average unhappy person spends more than twice as much time thinking about unpleasant events in their lives, while happy people tend to think about things that will brighten their personal outlook.

In the book of Philippians, Paul never uses the word happiness, but he does talk about joy, and contentment, and the peace of God which passes all understanding — all of which are yours to experience.

How do you get there?

One key step centers around your thought life.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

For most of us, our life experiences aren’t all that different from the experiences of everyone else. The difference-making difference can be found in how we choose to think about each situation … and, ultimately, how we choose to respond.

What will be the focus of your thoughts today?

It Takes a Team

On May 26, 1959, Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher Harvey Haddix accomplished something no one else in baseball has accomplished: He pitched 12 perfect innings in a game against the Milwaukee Braves.

It was enough to set a record, but it wasn’t enough to get a win.

The score was tied at zero in the bottom of the 13th when the Braves’ lead-off hitter reached first on an error. Two batters later, Joe Adcock knocked in the winning run.

The Braves took the game, 1-0. And Haddix took the loss.

The Pirates had men on base all afternoon — more than a dozen altogether — but they couldn’t manage to get anyone across home plate. And so, with no help from the offense, Haddix’s brilliant record-setting performance wound up on the LOSS side of the ledger.

Today many leaders are convinced if they themselves can maintain a certain level of brilliance, it will be enough to guarantee the success they’re looking for. While brilliance will certainly never work against you, neither can it take the place of teamwork.

You’re not enough by yourself. Whatever it is you’re hoping to accomplish, you can’t do it alone. You need a team.

Solomon wrote…

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up… Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:10, 12)

I encourage you today to remind those on your team that you’re committed to doing your part, that you’ve got their back, and you’re thankful that they’ve got yours.

Finished and Complete

There’s a story about a man named Samsundar Balgobin who won first place in an international linguistics competition with his response to following challenge: “No English dictionary can adequately explain the difference between ‘complete’ and ‘finished.’ How would you explain the difference?”

Here’s his response:

“When a man marries the right woman, he is complete.
When he marries the wrong woman, he is finished.”

As the story goes, he received a five minute standing ovation, he was rewarded a trip around the world, and he was invited to dine with the Queen of England. No doubt the judges themselves were married, and knew firsthand just how accurate is this definition.

From a theological perspective, there’s also a difference between the two words. When Jesus cried out on the cross, “It is finished!” he was saying, in effect, “The power of sin is done away with. It is paid in full. It is gone forever. It cannot hurt you anymore.”

And when Paul said, “Ye are complete in him,” he was saying that the Jesus you received at salvation is all you need for your life in God. You have complete forgiveness in him. Your hope is complete. Your future is complete. Your purpose is complete. In him you have everything and lack nothing.

With Jesus, you’re complete and sin is finished.

Without him, we’re all finished.

Watching Our Words

I took a retreat at a monastery a while back. Their custom is to observe total silence during the morning, and speaking only when necessary throughout the rest of the day. This took some getting used to, but I found it to be beneficial.

The following week I led the music at a camp in which the leadership team stayed together in the same cabin. We had a great time, laughing and joking with one another.

Our conversations were, for the most part, uplifting, but it wasn’t long before I noticed something. The more I talked, the more likely I was to say the wrong thing.

I also noticed that as I filled my days conversing with others, I had less time to converse with God.

Thomas A’ Kempis, in encouraging others to silence, said…

We often talk vainly and to no purpose; for this external pleasure effectively bars inward and divine consolation. Therefore we must watch and pray lest time pass idly. When the right and opportune moment comes for speaking, say something that will edify.

I’m not suggesting that we all take vows of silence, but it will do us good to watch our words carefully, with the goal of saying only things that will edify others.

Maybe today you could give yourself a challenge. Before speaking, ask yourself: Is what I’m about to say necessary? Will it build up those who are listening?

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. (Proverbs 10:19)