The Make It Happen Moment ® By The Book

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Quote: “Life doesn’t reward what you know; it rewards what you do with what you know!” – Dave Anderson

In June 2010 I formed a cycling team to participate in Race Across America, the world’s toughest bicycle race – 3,005 miles from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland. Our team’s mission was to finish well and support the fight against childhood obesity through corporate sponsorships. As you might imagine, this extreme ultra-endurance cycling event was no easy challenge. With one rider on the road at all times, we rode non-stop day and night across 14 states, through the mountains of Colorado and West Virginia, the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico, the wheat and cornfields of Kansas and Missouri, and the large and small cities of America.

To successfully complete the journey, we were given an all-encompassing route book that charted our course to 54 officially designated time stations from start to finish. Included in the route book were maps with elevation profiles to each successive time station and directions noted at precisely accurate mileage markers on the odometer. It was remarkable how well the directions in the route book accurately directed us to turn left or right at just the precise odometer readings. Consequently, without the route book, our 8-person team and 6 crew members would have not known when and where to turn on the route nor would we have ever made it to the finish line in 6 days, 14 hours, and 55 minutes as the 5th place team in our division.

As a rookie team, one of our biggest concerns was how we were going to find our way and arrive at each time station without getting lost. With the race over and gaining the first-hand knowledge and experience of a RAAM team finisher, our team can attest to the supreme accuracy of the route book that we were given by race officials and would definitely assert that the path would be painstakingly difficult to follow at best without the help of the route book. 

Do you know that a business team needs a supremely accurate route book as well to help chart their course and successfully achieve their business mission in the marketplace? In the same way that I can attest first hand to the supreme accuracy of the Race Across America route book as a certified RAAM team finisher, I can also attest first hand to the Supreme accuracy of the Word of God in helping business leaders to successfully achieve their business missions as a business leader who loves the Lord and has personally built many teams on the “can do” principles of the Word of God.  Psalms 119:105 states, “Your word [the Bible] is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path”; therefore, we can trust that the Bible will provide supremely accurate directions for every aspect of our lives including our businesses.

On the other hand, a business team that tries to achieve its business mission without the precise and accurate directions found in the Word of God is like a RAAM team trying to complete the Race Across America without the precise and accurate directions found in the RAAM route book…painstakingly difficult indeed.  Proverbs 14:12 states, “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death” and Proverbs 16:9 states, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” As business leaders with a spirit of wisdom and excellence, let us diligently seek the way of the Lord found in His Word and follow His path as we trust Him to direct our steps in business and lead us on a tremendously rewarding faith journey in the marketplace!

The Make It Happen Professionalism Value: “Make It Happen” People Are Professionals!

Have a blessed “Make It Happen” day!

Edited by The Make It Happen Moment ® Editorial Team

The Make It Happen Moment ® By The Book Copyright 2010, The Make It Happen Learning Institute.  You have permission to reprint The Make It Happen Moment ® By The Book, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

The Make It Happen Moment ® Divine Direction

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English: Ystiklettur cliffs, northeasternmost ...

Quote: “Every path has a destination. Direction – not intention – determines destination!” – Andy Stanley

While on a mission trip to the Native American Indian islands of Alaska, I had the opportunity to go salmon fishing with Mr. Casey, one of the elders of the local church in Metlakatla.  It was after our work was completed one afternoon that Mr. Casey offered to take me and a friend fishing with him before nightfall.  So the three of us climbed into a 16-foot skiff and headed to another island to fish along its shores in the Pacific Ocean.  Unfortunately though, while we were trolling for salmon along the island shore, a murky ocean fog began to roll in toward us. Worried about the fog impairing our ability to get back home safely, I respectfully assured Mr. Casey that it was ok for us to abandon our fishing expedition and head back home; however, Mr. Casey didn’t think much of the fog as it totally besieged us. Needless to say, I was not at all comfortable with the fog surrounding us, especially when I found out that we had no compass on board.  Furthermore, with a smile on his face, Mr. Casey said that we had no need to worry because he often spent a night on the island when this happened and it wasn’t too bad as long as the night temperature stayed above freezing and the bears stayed away.  With a courteous nod, I chuckled at Mr. Casey’s Alaskan humor and then began to seriously pray for our lives…

Once we caught enough fish, Mr. Casey decided that it was time for us to head back home across the open waters in the dense fog. And as you might imagine – without a compass – I was certain that we were destined for a Gilligan’s Island experience becoming totally lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in a 16-foot skiff on the longest boat ride of my life. But somehow, Mr. Casey, a lifetime experienced Native American Indian fisherman, navigated our little skiff back into the safe harbor of Metlakatla despite the endangering fog that seriously impaired our ability to see.  Maybe it was the direction of the wind or the direction of the currents or the fact that Mr. Casey had traveled that path so many times he could do it with his eyes closed – I don’t really know – but what I do know is that Mr. Casey followed the right path and it brought us home safely.  Once we arrived at his home on the island, Mr. Casey told his wife the story about the fog and my worry about sleeping on the island. Laughing together with everyone on our team, Mr. Casey’s wife affectionately labeled me an official “Greenhorn”. 

I share this true story because sometimes we may find ourselves lost in the fog of life, not knowing which direction we should take to get to where we want to be; however, if we allow the Word of God to be a light unto our path and a lamp unto our feet as the Bible declares in Psalm 119:105, we will have no need to worry about our path.  In fact, Proverbs 3:6 states, “In all your ways acknowledge Him [Jehovah Rohi, the Lord my Shepherd] and He will direct your paths.” By the truth of God’s Word and the power of His Holy Spirit, we have a built-in compass leading and directing our steps even when the fog of life may seem so thick that all we can do is walk by faith and not by sight. Therefore, with a spirit of faith and humility, fear not when life is a challenge to navigate because the Bible promises in Psalm 37:23 that “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.”

The Make It Happen Professionalism Value: “Make It Happen” People Are Professionals!

Have a blessed “Make It Happen” day!

Edited by The Make It Happen Moment ® Editorial Team

The Make It Happen Moment ® Divine Direction Copyright 2010, The Make It Happen Learning Institute.  You have permission to reprint The Make It Happen Moment ® Divine Direction, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

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