focus
[Easy Talk about Management Series]
▲Caleb and other spies looking intently at God. Image source: Wikipedia.com
"Learned" is often a word we use when praising someone for being knowledgeable, but being "well-read" is not necessarily a good thing - if we can't focus, we may accomplish nothing. On the other hand, those who are successful do not necessarily have a wide range of interests, but are able to "concentrate" on a certain thing or a certain project. Therefore, in this issue, I would like to encourage you all with "focus".
First, regarding faith, let’s look at how Caleb looked intently to God. Unlike the other ten spies, he said, “The land we spied out and passed through is a land that devours its inhabitants, and the people we saw there were great in stature. We saw the Anakites there, great men; they were great men. "We are like grasshoppers to us, and so are we to them." (Numbers 13:32-33) Instead, he comforted the people in front of Moses and said, "Let us go up immediately and take possession of the land." Enough to overcome." (Numbers 13:30) Let's see how his "wholehearted trust in God" received God's blessing - "But Caleb the son of Jephunneh will see it, and I will destroy the ground on which he walks. to him and to his descendants, because he has followed me wholeheartedly” (Deuteronomy 1:36).
Take Thomas Alva Edison as an example again. In the process of inventing the electric light, in order to find filament materials, he used more than 7,600 material experiments. He was not discouraged when he failed. He experimented and reviewed again. After more than 8,000 attempts, he succeeded; therefore, he not only became a famous figure in the history of modern physics. A very outstanding scientist, he is also known as the greatest inventor in the world.
From the above two examples, we can know the influence of "focus". Looking at the following examples from the Bible, workplace, and church life, I hope we can draw inferences, "focus" on knowing the true God, change our lives, follow God wholeheartedly throughout our lives, edify others, bring unity and revival to the church, and influence society and the country.
1. Learn from Caleb, know the true God, follow Him throughout your life and receive great blessings from God
"Seek me, and you will find me if you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For whoever asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and whoever knocks, the door will be opened to you.” (Ma. Matthew 7:7-8)
“Teach me your ways, O Lord; I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to fear your name!” (Psalm 86:11)
2. Learn from David to obey God’s commandments attentively (concentrate wholeheartedly)
David respected God's anointed one. Even if he had the opportunity to kill Saul, who was persecuting him, he would not kill him because he was God's anointed one. In our church life, are there any pastors or preachers with whom we disagree? How do we face them? Is it criticism from behind? Attack during a board meeting? Or are they willing to speak the truth lovingly and give positive advice when they are wrong? Or pray for them every day?
I hope that every believer, elder, and deacon can learn from David, obey God’s teachings wholeheartedly, and become a friend of the pastor, a co-worker in unity, and a faithful intercessor. We will surely be blessed by God like David, and Don’t let yourself and your family be cursed by attacking God’s anointed one.
▲Scientist and inventor Thomas Alva Edison. Image source: Wikipedia.com
3. Learn from the apostles of the early church who concentrated on praying and preaching, and know that the church should set up deacons for management (administration and general affairs)
"The Twelve called all the disciples together and said to them, 'It is not fitting for us to leave the word of God and serve food. Therefore, brethren, choose from among you seven who are of good repute, filled with the Holy Spirit, We will put those who are wise in charge of this matter, but let us give our attention to prayer and the preaching of the Word.” (Acts 6:2-4)
Human energy is limited, and pastors or preachers are also human beings. Many church leaders and members (especially those who need to clock in at work) often regard pastors as superhuman beings who must be available 24 hours a day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It must be in the office, otherwise the pastor is not serious. Are you and me like this? Or are we God’s faithful stewards and friends of the pastor, each doing our part to serve the church to the best of our ability so that the pastor can concentrate on praying and preaching? Can we offload most of the pastor’s chores and prepare a quiet place for the pastor, or provide resources and encourage the pastor to go out and find a quiet place, so that the pastor can spend at least three to five hours a day seeking God and preparing sermons to feed believers? Or do we want the pastor to be the leader of the synagogue, and do we need the pastor to clock in and work as an operator every day?
I hope that the above reflection will make us think again as church members and elders, have we treated God’s anointed or co-workers harshly?
At the same time, I would also like to call on every preacher or pastor to accept the teachings Paul gave to Timothy (see 1 and 2 Timothy for details) and Titus (see Titus for details), and concentrate on praying and preaching. , and become a role model for believers. But if you are pastoring a church with very few resources, I suggest you roll up your sleeves and do chores without complaining. Preachers must not be interested in fame or cliques for personal gain, lest they be like Dr. Song Shangjie's mantra: "Hell is dark, especially for elders and pastors." (pronounced in Taiwanese)
4. Make good use of the 80/20 rule to solve problems
If you spend your time, energy, money, and manpower on the things that come before your priorities, these priorities will bring you results. Everyone must use this principle to determine priorities in their personal lives or in their organizations. This law is the best weapon for those in power or reformers. It must be used first before making any decisions. It will bring us unimaginable benefits. Therefore, if you want to be an effective reformer, you must make good use of the 80/20 principle so that you can get twice the result with half the effort and avoid getting yourself overwhelmed or unable to do anything well. (Note: Please refer to the author’s article “Problem Solving” in the 45th issue of this journal, Autumn 2016.)
▲Pareto's Principle: An important few pods produce most of the output. Image source: Wikipedia.com
5. It is best to set no more than five goals.
It would be best if you can start with one or two goals, and the goals you set must be achieved with all your strength. If you succeed, you can copy this successful experience on new goals.
We have almost never seen a top tennis player who is also a baseball or basketball player; and it is rare that the same group of people can run a steel company and run the semiconductor industry well, unless they can find another group of capable people with semiconductor expertise. Cadres create a new career.
Based on the above examples, we can know that "focus" is an indispensable condition whether it is faith, life, church or the workplace. I hope we can introspect and adjust ourselves, knowing that humans are limited and need to work together and as a team. Let us be faithful and good stewards of God and a blessing to people. Amen!
Author profile
Elder Lin Yuanchang is one of the founders of Lite-on Group and served as general manager and vice chairman of the group. After retiring from the corporate world, he devoted himself to assisting churches and Christian organizations in improving their management capabilities and reforming their systems. He once served as the chairman of the Taiwan Christian Mustard Seed Association; he experienced the Holy Spirit and spiritual renewal at the age of fifty, and is now committed to helping promote the ministry of spiritual renewal.