My first car was a ’61 Buick LeSabre. I bought it in 1975 for $250. What a great car it was. (Identical to the one posted here.) However, it developed two problems. One, the heater didn’t work. Two, reverse didn’t work. You can go without a heater, but it’s hard to drive a car that doesn’t go into reverse. Hard, but not impossible.

I learned to drive with a no-backing-up mentality. I wouldn’t park on a driveway unless it was built on a slope and I could roll my way back into the street. In parking lots, I looked for two empty spaces (one in front of the other), so I could pull through the first and park in the second, as if I had backed in. I got pretty good at it, making it through most of my senior year not driving backwards.

This is a terrible way to drive your car, but it’s not a bad way to live your life. If you can learn to live without going in reverse, you can overcome many of the limitations that we put on ourselves.

There are many times when we say, “I know what I want to do, I know what I ought to do, but I have this history of failure…I tried this before and it didn’t work. How can I try again?” That’s the driving-in-reverse approach. It’s the opposite of what we’re called to do.

Remember the words of Paul.

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)

Are you stuck in reverse? Are there some things today that you need to forget, as you make a conscience effort to drive forward? Forget what’s in the rear-view mirror, forget what lies behind. Look ahead and press on toward the prize.

Some of our best ideas are still waiting for the right moment. We call it preparation. It’s really procrastination. Eventually the due diligence phase yields to the do-nothing phase. And another good idea gets covered in cobwebs.

Keep in mind what William Feather said: “Conditions are never just right. People who delay action until all factors are favorable do nothing.”

There’s something to be said for beginning now and filling in the details as you go. Not that details aren’t important or that preparation isn’t necessary, but at some you’ve got to quit compiling data and start pursuing results.

Do you know what the problem is? There’s no failure to face in the preparation stage. There’s no disappointment to deal with in the dream-casting stage. It’s only after the plan has been put into practice that you confront results that maybe don’t meet expectations. It’s easy to get nervous. It’s easier to plan just a little longer.

When Abraham was older than just about everyone who will be reading these words, God told him, “Leave your country, your people, and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1) Abraham went, not having a plan in place, not knowing exactly what lay ahead, only that he was following the voice of God.

There are times when it’s time to do just what Abraham did: take the first few steps, even if all the questions haven’t been answered and all the problems aren’t solved in advance. There’s something to be said for beginning now.

Paul often used a phrase that may surprise you. In fact, if it came from anyone other than Paul in any place other than the Bible, I would have thought it heresy. He said, “Imitate me.” And he said it often — in First Corinthians, Philippians, and First Thessalonians.

Therefore I urge you, be imitators of me. (1 Corinthians 4:16)
Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

It’s a bold thing to say, “Be like me. Do what I do. Say what I say. Follow my example.” I don’t always feel comfortable with these words, because I know my faults all too well. But here’s the truth: any leader worth his or her salt can say it, and should say it.

You follow the example and yield to the influence of qualified leaders in every area of life. When you invest, or make business decisions, or look after your health, you often look to leaders for direction. That’s because if you take good advice and follow good examples, you’re pretty much guaranteed success in these areas.

It’s the same with discipleship and leadership. The crucial question is: Whose example will you choose to follow?

A key to your success is to identify imitation-worthy individuals, and learn to follow their example — especially in these areas:

Attitude
Preparation
Conversation
Spiritual Discipline
Work Ethic
Response to Adversity.

Do you know people who excel in these areas?

In order to be the best, learn to be like the best.

Drew Manning: Before and After

Drew Manning has a unique approach to fitness training. For years he was the typical fitness-obsessed personal trainer, with the physique to show for it. This year, he’s taken a new approach: he decided to go from being fit to being fat, so that, afterward, people can personally follow him day-by-day as he paves the way back to a life of fitness and health. (Here’s his website)

It began on May 7. On that day, Drew stopped working out and started eating everything in sight. During the next six months he would gain 72 pounds and add 14 inches to his waist.

Then, on November 5, Drew started on the long road back to fitness, taking  thousands of facebook fans and twitter followers with him. He’s documenting every step, every meal plan and workout routine, every frustration and temptation, every victory and setback, so that all who want to be fit again can reach the destination with him.

AN EXAMPLE OF CHRISTMAS.
His story reminds me of Christmas. How Jesus became one of us — weak, poor, and vulnerable — so that, in his steps, we could become all we’re made to be. Through his example, we can learn to live life to the fullest, as God desires for all his people. Jesus came to show us, step-by-step, how to plot a course from where we are to where we want to be.

But Jesus did far more than show us the way. He became the way. We could never complete this journey into wholeness on our own, so he himself became the journey for us. He came into this world, a weak and helpless child, he spent his lifetime teaching and helping others, and then, he finished his life on earth by doing for us what we could never do for ourselves: He died for our sins, so that, in him, we may truly live.

GOD WITH US.
I once heard a famous personal trainer ask: “Do you believe that if I came to your house everyday and trained with you and ate every meal with you, that in a couple of months you would be healthier than you’ve ever been in your life?” The answer is obviously yes — the key to success being the trainer’s continued presence in your daily routine.

And there’s the story of Christmas. It’s not about us trying to stumble our way into finding God. It’s about God coming to us, being present in our lives, taking our steps with us, day-in and day-out.

That’s why his name is Immanuel. He is “God with us.”  (Matthew 1:23) As you continue your journey today, remember that you are not alone. He is with you every step of the way.

Fulton J. Sheen wrote:

“An interesting phenomenon in children is that gratitude or thankfulness comes relatively late in their young lives. They almost have to be taught it; if not, they grow up thinking that the world owes them a living.”

A friend told me that she doesn’t want to force her son to say “Thank you” unless he really feels like saying it. She said, “If I teach him to say ‘thank you’ when he doesn’t feel thankful, I’m teaching him that it’s OK to be a hypocrite.”

That’s not even close to what gratitude is. Our feelings have nothing to do with why we express it or how we express it. Gratitude is not an emotion, it’s an action. The act of saying “thank you” is for the benefit of the other person. It’s about their feelings, not yours.

The same is true when saying “Thank you” to God. Gratitude is the proper response to the goodness of God. We say “thank you” because God is good all the time, not just because we happen to feel good at that particular moment.

That’s why the Psalms so often refer to the “sacrifice of thanksgiving.” It’s an act of obedience, not just an emotional outburst.

As David said, “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 116:17)

Like children, believers must learn how to be thankful. And the truth is, most people are thankful. We just need to get better at showing it. Even when our feelings don’t cooperate, we can express gratitude with our words and actions.

Walter Zimmerman has what can be described as a high-pressure job. He predicts the direction of movement on the world energies market for institutions such as airlines and oil companies. He’s well paid — as in earning about $500,000 per month — but his clients expect him to be right. A few bad calls could destroy him professionally and financially. It’s not a job for the faint of heart, and Zimmerman watched most of his peers burn out long ago. But he has a secret weapon that enables him to remain calm and keeps his mind sharp and focused.

Actually, the weapon isn’t really a secret. It’s meditation. He says that forty minutes of meditation in the morning and at night helps give him the clarity he needs to make quick, insightful (and accurate) analysis of the market.

There’s a reason why the Bible tells us again and again to meditate. It’s good for you. One recent study found evidence that the daily practice of meditation thickened the parts of the brain’s cerebral cortex responsible for decision making, attention and memory.

The study was based on a type of meditation in which one focuses on a single image or sound, or simply focuses on one’s breathing. The result of this simple type of meditation is better health and mental acuity.

Imagine, then, what would be the result of a more spiritual type of meditation — focusing your thoughts on any aspect of God: his Word, his promises, his presence, his power, his law, his love … What would be the result?

“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. ” (Psalm 119:97-99)

Meditation is a lot like running. Books have been written and seminars held on how to perfect the technique — but chances are better than good that your technique will be  pretty close to perfect from your first try. If you want to meditate, here’s a good way to get started.

1. Sit, stand, or kneel — whichever you prefer.

2. Look up, look down, or close your eyes — whichever you prefer.

3. Breathe deeply and slowly. This helps you slow down your mind.

4. Think about God.

Do this for two minutes or ten minutes, and you’ll experience the difference. With practice you’ll get better, but you’ll experience the difference right away. In prayerful meditation, we experience God’s  presence, God’s power, and God’s peace.

Frederick Buechner said, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

I remember this when I meet individuals with jobs I could never imagine myself doing: accounting, advertising, anthropology, architecture — and those are just a few of the “A”s. Yet, I have friends who work in each of these areas, who love their jobs and are passionate about their work — and they use their gifts to serve God and serve others.

David said, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4) This works two ways: He puts the desire there, and then he fills it. He gives you the desires of your heart, then he gives you what your heart desires.

If you have a passion for music, or building, or teaching, or preaching, or writing, or counseling, or leading, or working with youth, or cooking, or making people laugh, or any number of other things, no doubt it’s because God has given you this passion — and he wants you to use it to bless others.

Where is your deepest gladness?

How can you use it to further the kingdom of God?

Former pro quarterback Kenny Stabler once said, “In the NFL, there are 25 guys who can throw better than I can. But I can make guys win.” I guess that’s what it comes down to, isn’t it? Being able to win. In the NFL, as in life, content is more valuable than form.

A friend who is a district manager of a chain of retail stores tells me that many of his under-achieving store managers try to score points by having tidy store — as if that can make up for lack of profit.

People have a tendency to value form over content. Most real estate professionals will tell you that on a percentage basis, a new coat of paint will increase a home’s selling price far more than new plumbing will.

This is a trap we must avoid. In the Old Testament, we are reminded that God’s priorities are different than ours. God said to Samuel…

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

It’s tempting to settle for merely good form: a handsome family, a nice car, a big house, a good job, a respectable religious affiliation, a dignified manner of worship, but God reminds us that the content of our lives is much more important than surface level appearances. He’s much more interested in the condition of your heart.

Our ongoing challenge is to strive to improve the content of our lives, rather than merely settling for good form. Let it be your aim  – at home, at work, and alone with God — to live life from the inside out.

A woman bought a parrot to keep her company. She returned to the pet store the next day with a complaint: “This bird you sold me won’t talk.”

The pet store manager said, “Does he have a mirror in his cage? Parrots love mirrors. They see their reflection and they start up a conversation.” So she bought a mirror and went home.

A couple of days later she was back. The bird still wasn’t talking. “How about a ladder?” the manager asked. “A ladder will make your parrot happy, and a happy parrot is more likely to talk.” She bought the ladder and left.

Two days later she returned. The bird still hadn’t said anything. The store manager thought for a minute and said, “How about a swing? All parrots need a swing. A swing will loosen him up, and he’ll be talking in no time.” The woman reluctantly bought the swing and left.

She was back the next day, looking forlorn. “My parrot died,” she said.

“That’s terrible,” the manager said. “Did he ever say a word?”

“Yes,” the woman said, “Right before he died he said, ‘Don’t they sell any food at that pet store?’”

TRYING ONE THING AND THEN ANOTHER
Isn’t this just like us? We try so hard to get the things we want in so many different ways, and we keep overlooking the simplest, most obvious solutions.

I see it in people who seek with all their heart to be happy, going from one distraction to the next — possessions and relationships most often — and yet their hunger is never satisfied.

I also see it in churches working feverishly to catch the next fad, trying desperately to be “relevant”, yet continually overlooking their most basic objective: bringing people to Christ and teaching them to become disciples.

Are you starving? Is your house filled with things and your life filled with activities and your ministry filled with programs — and are you still starving?

TIME TO RETURN
The parrot died because his owner overlooked the most basic of all basics  – and many of our troubles can be traced to the same thing.

Jesus said to the church in Ephesus, “You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” (Revelation 2:5-6)

If you’re floundering, take a second look at the fundamentals. Maybe it’s time to revisit square one. You don’t just begin with the basics, you win with the basics. They are our strategy for “success” — it is the key to accomplishing God’s will with our lives and furthering his kingdom with our work.