Playing to Win in 2010...

Discipline/Commitment

So, the question is; 15 days into 2010, how many resolutions have you already given up on? How many goals seem out of reach already? It's sad to say, but, if you admit it, I'm sure that there is some promise,goal or resolution that you've already resolved to try again next year. The good news is if you want to succeed, YOU CAN!!! The secret is simple; in all situations and under every circumstance, you must Play to Win!

Not long ago, I read a scripture that spoke to my heart... and it became my motto, and our church's rallying cry for this year. The text is found in Matthew 25:1-13. For the the sake of time, allow me to summarize: The passage opens with 10 virgins preparing for a wedding feast (during that period, the bridegroom and his party would come to the home of the bride, and the bride's party[virgins] would light their lamps to provide illumination for the groom and his associates to see). The scripture describes 5 of the virgins as being wise, because they had come with their lamps and plenty of oil, in case the groom's arrival was delayed. However, it appears the virgins that were termed foolish, simply grabbed their lamps with whatever oil was in them. As is always the case when we're waiting, and waiting anxiously, the object of our anticipation, was delayed. So, while the delay was in progress, ALL of the virgins decided to relax, and take ten. Actually, the Bible termed it as "they slumbered and slept". Finally, when the groom and his party arrived, the foolish virgins began scrambling at the last minute to find oil. They even had the nerve to ask the 5 wise virgins that had taken the time to prepare, to give them some of their oil. The foolish virgins were then politely told, "No, go buy your own". Once the groom had arrived, the door to the feast was shut. Although, the foolish virgins returned with plenty of oil, the groom upset that they had not taken their responsibilities more seriously, denied their entry and sent them away. Sadly, they had arrived with great and high hopes, only to be dissapointed and disillusioned. It appears that, had the foolish virgins given as much thought to what was necessary for the party, as they had thought about enjoying the party, the ending would have been very different. In summary, had their preparations risen to the level of their expectaitons, they would've been in da' house! The foolish virgins just wanted to get into the game to make a showing, but that wasn't enough for the wise virgins, they decided to Play to Win!!!

Thus, came the great revelation. Think about it. The foolish virgins had just as much invested as the wise virgins did. They had cancelled any other plans, gotten up, gotten their lamps, gotten dressed in their best "I'm going to get myself a husband" duds, traveled to the party site and waited.... and waited .... and waited some more. Up until the bridegroom arrived, the effort and time invested was virtually the same for all, EXCEPT for the small amount of forethought and effort it took the wise virgins to make sure they had enough oil. To think, just a few minutes, sometimes a few seconds, could make such a difference. Honestly, if you think about it, most things are like that: just a little extra thought, attention or effort is what separates us from the rewards of the success we desire. Just a little more study time will raise your class grade from a B to the desired "A"...saying no to that second helping or dessert would have resulted in the loss of one more pound each day, that would have accumulated to that 10 pounds that you did not loose during the last 2 weeks. A little more time practicing free throws... a little more time spent with your family...a little more time spent with God... you get the idea.

From the passage of scripture I have identified 5 steps to guarantee your success as you Play to Win in 2010. I'll share those with you in a few days. Until then, stay blessed.


Good success is yours if you "Play to Win in 2010". Get all the tips for success, follow this blog or contact me at byronravnell@gmail.com

Playing to win in 2010!!!

Vision
As we move forward with grand hopes and dreams for a prosperous New Year, I wonder how many of us have really taken time to develop a vision of what a successful 2010 would look like, feel like, or actually be.

It's important to realize that a vision is not just a picture of what the end result will be, but just as importantly, how you'll get there.

Hab 2:2-3 "And the Lord answered me and said, "Write the vision and make it plain, upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come; it will not tarry.

From this we learn 5 important steps that we must follow in order for 2010 to be prosperous:
1. Write the vision...few goals are achieved that are not written. The psychological impact of writing goals is phenomenal. Remember everything is 90% mental.
2. Make it plain...Your plan or vision should be simple throughout, and easy to implement. Remember the "devil"(literally) is in the details, so don't leave him a crack to get in. Unlike many of us, he's not slacking at his job.
3. It is for an appointed time...the appointed time has 2 very distinct components: your time and his time. Your time is the goal or timeline that you set to accomplish the various phases of your plan. This you have all the control over. Don't be slack in your preparation; success= preparation + opportunity. Your responsibility is to prepare. The other component is his timing, which you have no control over. Faith means trusting that when you do all you can, He will do the rest. Remember, he has promised time after time in his word, that he desires for you to prosper.
4. Wait for it...patience my child, patience. The waiting is the hardest part. It's difficult to keep this in perspective, but just like we have to get things in order, so does God. He's putting the proper people, in the proper place, with the proper resources to bring about the proper outcome. If you've ever assembled a toy or piece of furniture without following the instructions, undoubtedly, you found somewhere in the process that you did something "out of order". As a result you have to disassemble it and go back a step or 2 in the process. Save yourself some time and follow his directions with complete faith. Remember, because he is the inventor/creator of all, he knew and orchestrated the desired end from the very beginning. Nobody desires for better, or knows better, what the end result is to be....Ephesians 3:20 " Now unto to him that is able to do exceeding aubundantly above all that we ask or think...
5. Because it will surely come...remember, if you do your part, he'll do his part and sucess is guaranteed. Play to win in 2010 and you will!!!

Good success is yours if you play to win in 2010. Get all of the tips for success, follow Byron's blog @ http://byronravnell.blogspot.com or contact him @ byronravnell@gmail.com.