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November 18, 2007
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
A Distressing Secret to Success, by Rubel Shelly
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived
at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ
Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider
myself yet to have taken hold of it. 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 3:12-14 TNIV).
There are all sorts of "secrets to success" lists in circulation. There
is probably valuable truth in each of them. Commons threads of optimism
and creativity, perseverance and hard work are always there. Yet not so
many mention sheer dumb luck or people who give breaks to untested
souls.
Brett Favre is a great illustration of still another secret to success
that tends to get overlooked. I call this a "distressing" secret for
the simple reason that most of us have enough pride that we resist the
path that always includes it.
Favre has been in the NFL since 1991, but the past couple of years have
not been stellar. Some sportscasters wondered aloud if he might just
retire. In an interview with an ESPN announcer in 2006, he even said he
was leaning toward it. He not only came back for the 2007 season, as it
turned out, but he has come back with fire and proficiency. The Packers
are in first place in their division with an 8-1 record.
"Life is either a daring adventure or it is nothing."
At a personal level, Favre holds some very enviable records. He has the
most career starts of any NFL quarterback in history. And, on September
30 of this year, he broke the record for most touchdown passes. But,
just two weeks after breaking Dan Marino's record for the most passes
thrown for touchdowns, he went on the field and broke the record for
the most passes thrown for interceptions in the National Football
League! That record doesn't get a trophy.
You have to risk defeat in order to win. You have to run the risk of
failure in order to have the opportunity to succeed. In order to pass
for a touchdown, you have to hazard being knocked on your backside.
Entrepreneurs know what NFL quarterbacks know. And so do people in
love.
The issue here is not foolhardiness. Someone without basic skills and
good training can't play football, run a company, lead a church, or
negotiate a relationship. No one should be too proud to ask for help.
Good leaders do their homework and prepare well. But the moment comes
when you actually have to step onto the field, call a play, and run the
risk of failing.
Maybe the people are right who say it is fear that prevents success.
But my sneaking hunch is that fear masks pride. More specifically,
someone's pride keeps her from taking the risk that could prove awkward
and embarrassing. "Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist
in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it," wrote
the late Helen Keller. "Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run
than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or it is
nothing." Brett Favre must feel the same way.
---------
(c) 2007 Used by permission. From Rubel Shelly's "FAX of Life"
printed each Tuesday. See Faith Matters for previous issues of
the "FAX of Life."
RELATED LINKS:
* Life Outside of Football
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200702/20070206_outsidefootball.html
* Hate Football?
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200407/20040720_hatefootball.html
* Pointless?
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200611/20061109_pointless.html
* RubelShelly.com
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200711/20071118_secret.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
THE SECRET MESSAGE OF JESUS: UNCOVERING THE TRUTH THAT COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING, by Brian McLaren
Unafraid of controversy or the uncomfortable gray areas of life,
McLaren's quest is to find the essential message of Jesus' life - even
if it overturns our conventional ideas, priorities, and practices.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?253
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