A famous old poem goes like this: “When days are hot and flies are thick, use horse sense – cooperate. One tail on duty at the rear can reach that fly behind the ear. But two tails when arranged with proper craft can do the job both fore and aft.”
Your decision to bound past mediocrity will help pull up others with you.
Choosing God’s will in our lives always affects others and makes them better. William Danforth said, “Our most valuable possessions are those which can be shared without lessening those which when shared multiply. Our least valuable possessions are those which when divided are diminished.”
We should look for opportunities to invest of ourselves in others and to help make them better.
Somebody did that for you once. Somebody saw something in you and reached out to help you. That act of kindness has determined where you are today. It may have been your pastor, your parents, a friend, a teacher, coach, neighbor, or just someone who offered some extra money, prayers, good advice, or equipment and supplied. But whoever it was, that individual had the foresight and the resources to invest in you and take a risk on your future.
I have a challenge for you. This week take a few minutes and send a note to those people who reached out and greatly affected your life. Also do this: take a few minutes and reach out to help someone else get ahead. You will find that this will be one of the most satisfying experiences you’ve had in a long time.
Proverbs 3:27 says, “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.” Invest in somebody today. Believe in that person. Offer support and encouragement. Help him come up to another level.
Try it, you’ll like it! You’ll also benefit from it!
Excerpt permission granted by Insight Publishing
John Mason is an international bestselling author, minister, publisher, executive author coach, and noted speaker. He’s the founder and president of Insight International and Insight Publishing Group. Both organizations are dedicated to helping people reach their dreams and fulfill their God-given destinies.
He has authored thirty-two books including An Enemy Called Average, You’re Born An Original—Don’t Die A Copy, Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop, and Know Your Limits Then Ignore Them which have sold over 2 million copies and are translated into 40 different languages throughout the world. His books are widely regarded as a source of godly wisdom, scriptural motivation, and practical principles. His writings have been published twice in Reader’s Digest along with numerous other national and international publications. Seven of his books have reached number one on Amazon bestseller lists.
He’s been the president of two Christian publishing companies. He’s also a former Vice President and Publisher for Thomas Nelson Publishers (Harper Collins), the 6th largest book publisher in the world and largest Christian publisher.
He’s an internationally recognized executive author coach, helping numerous prominent authors with their books for more than thirty years. Politicians, NBA, NFL, PGA, MLB, an Olympic gold medalist and other professional athletes, billionaires, businesspeople, pastors, ministers, New York Times bestselling authors, a Fortune 500 CEO, Navy SEALs, Top Gun pilots, and a Texas governor have all benefitted from his knowledge.
Known for his quick wit, powerful thoughts, and insightful ideas, he is a popular speaker across the US and around the world.