Several years ago Dr. Billy Graham gave a strange answer to the question often asked of him, “To what do you attribute your success.” Mr. Graham gave the stock answers of prayer, believing the Bible, caring about people and the call of God. He closed the answer with this powerful line: “Also, I have learned the power of using the word yes very sparingly.”
When you take time to think about it, no one can or should do everything. That’s why God gave differing gifts to a variety of people. Dr. Graham clearly understood the nature and purpose of spiritual gifts bestowed upon Him by the Lord. The things he gave a yes to, such as writing, were simply an overflow from his evangelistic preparation. Above all the grand preachers I have known Billy understood the difference between a pastor, revivalist and the New Testament calling of Evangelist. Many in my calling would do better if serious, prayerful, thought was put into discovering what God has really called us to be and do.
Most of the people I have known, men and women, who have been outstanding achievers in their chosen field, seemed to have their finger in many pies. Actually each one understood their calling and directed the bulk of their efforts into that area. Here’s the key, they enlisted the expertise of others in the fields beyond their passion. Most people have never heard Billy Graham or Jerry Falwell sing a solo. I heard Dr. Falwell one time and that was enough! Dr. Lee Roberson was a trained singer of classical music. He could really sing, but he wisely enlisted the voice of many others over the years while he kept his yes to the excellency of preaching.
Most of my readers are not up there at the success level of the men written about in this article. That your friends have probably never heard of me is evidence that I am near the bottom rung of the ladder to the top. I am learning to be adamant about my calling when I am being pulled into ever more things, to adamantly say, “I simply cannot say yes to this opportunity unless the Lord provides the right person for the yes.”
The Appalachian Mountains are among the most gorgeous in the world. Joe Edmonds, of Max Meadows, Virginia was born there, lived there and died there. He was an outstanding Christian and a gifted carpenter with a gift in the innovative finished carpentry area. He was the honorary God Father to our children. To this day, though he has been with the Lord for years, when he is mentioned, the term “Pop Pop” is used with deep affection. Joe had a way of teaching that was effective. I was a very “busy” young pastor. Joe said to me one day, “You know brother Lilly, some feller’s are so busy that they aint a getting anything done.” His way of informing me that I was saying yes to too many things.
Steve Jobs, of Apple fame said it like this, “Innovation is not about saying yes to everything. It's about saying NO to all but the most crucial features." Learn to say no with “I cannot say yes.”
Copyright © 2016 Larry Lilly
IT work is the glory of Oral Deckard
When you take time to think about it, no one can or should do everything. That’s why God gave differing gifts to a variety of people. Dr. Graham clearly understood the nature and purpose of spiritual gifts bestowed upon Him by the Lord. The things he gave a yes to, such as writing, were simply an overflow from his evangelistic preparation. Above all the grand preachers I have known Billy understood the difference between a pastor, revivalist and the New Testament calling of Evangelist. Many in my calling would do better if serious, prayerful, thought was put into discovering what God has really called us to be and do.
Most of the people I have known, men and women, who have been outstanding achievers in their chosen field, seemed to have their finger in many pies. Actually each one understood their calling and directed the bulk of their efforts into that area. Here’s the key, they enlisted the expertise of others in the fields beyond their passion. Most people have never heard Billy Graham or Jerry Falwell sing a solo. I heard Dr. Falwell one time and that was enough! Dr. Lee Roberson was a trained singer of classical music. He could really sing, but he wisely enlisted the voice of many others over the years while he kept his yes to the excellency of preaching.
Most of my readers are not up there at the success level of the men written about in this article. That your friends have probably never heard of me is evidence that I am near the bottom rung of the ladder to the top. I am learning to be adamant about my calling when I am being pulled into ever more things, to adamantly say, “I simply cannot say yes to this opportunity unless the Lord provides the right person for the yes.”
The Appalachian Mountains are among the most gorgeous in the world. Joe Edmonds, of Max Meadows, Virginia was born there, lived there and died there. He was an outstanding Christian and a gifted carpenter with a gift in the innovative finished carpentry area. He was the honorary God Father to our children. To this day, though he has been with the Lord for years, when he is mentioned, the term “Pop Pop” is used with deep affection. Joe had a way of teaching that was effective. I was a very “busy” young pastor. Joe said to me one day, “You know brother Lilly, some feller’s are so busy that they aint a getting anything done.” His way of informing me that I was saying yes to too many things.
Steve Jobs, of Apple fame said it like this, “Innovation is not about saying yes to everything. It's about saying NO to all but the most crucial features." Learn to say no with “I cannot say yes.”
Copyright © 2016 Larry Lilly
IT work is the glory of Oral Deckard
RSS Feed