The Difference Between Success and Failure
Luke 12:35-48
Preparation is often the difference between success and failure. Jesus wanted us to see that. This simple parable contains one of the great truths of life. People who are prepared have an advantage over those who are not.
We can see a practical example of the importance of preparation in the success of legendary Boston Red baseball star, Ted Williams. In the view of many, Williams was the greatest hitter of all time. And Williams was always prepared. In an article about Williams some years ago, he was reported as saying that in the course of a game he expected to see only one perfect pitch. Only one perfect pitch among the twenty to fifty pitches per game that a batter is likely to see. Williams said that because he had no idea when that perfect pitch would appear, he knew it was crucial to be both prepared and patient. He waited for that one perfect pitch. When it came, he was prepared.
It is not difficult to see that preparation is one of the keys to a successful life in almost any field. Many of our young people will be quite successful someday in their chosen profession. Why? They worked hard in school and went out prepared. Some of you will get off to a roaring start in your work this week. Why? You've set your priorities, done your homework, know what you must do to make the sale. You're prepared. Preparation is the difference between the amateur and the pro, the star and the also-ran, the
winner and those who trail behind.
Bryant Gumbel, who was the host NBC's "Today" show for 15 years, is one of those who knows about preparation. Gumbel said he never got nervous on the air. His secret was to be overly prepared. It wasn't the information he was absorbing that mattered so much as the act of getting ready and the knowledge that he had put in the time preparing. Presidential candidate booked for Friday? Gumbel would have his staff prepare a massive midweek briefing on that person, and he'll also do his own outside reading. By the time the person walks on the set, Gumbel believes himself to be the best person alive to conduct the interview.
"If you try using a psychological trick to convince yourself that you're confident, at some level you'll know it's just a trick." Gumbel says. "But the confidence that comes from preparation is the real thing." Preparation is often the difference between success and failure. How successful are you?
Questions to Ponder
What must you do to be prepared?
In what area do you need to be prepared?
Do you believe God will help you to be prepared in whatever you do?
In His Service,
Terry Phillips
