by J. Randal Matheny

[This went to the UPLift list several days ago. Seems I'm doing more there than here ...]

Dr. Seuss met a brain surgeon at a party. The surgeon said, "Oh, you're that man who writes those children's books. Some Saturday, when I have a little extra time, I am going to write one of those."

Dr. Seuss replied, "Ah, yes. And some day when I have a little free time, I'll do brain surgery."

Some people want to accomplish great things. But they want to do them in their off-time, in their spare moments. They think they can do them in a snap, easy, no sweat. They are mere dabblers, not masters of their skill.

If you would excel, devote yourself wholly to it.

Most worthy of complete devotion is receiving God's approval. No weekend enthusiasts need apply. Punching a Sunday time clock earns no credits.

Christianity is an all-out effort, a full-time job, an undertaking that will consume you entirely.

One of the great words of Scripture is "diligence," generally translated from the Greek word "spoudazo." Louw and Nida translate it "to do something with intense effort and motivation --'to work hard, to do one's best, to endeavor.'" We find this word in 2 Timothy 2:15:

"Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing -- rightly handling and skillfully teaching -- the Word of Truth" (Amplified).

I quoted the words of Yoda to my son recently. They fit here: "Do or do not. There is no try."

Neither is there dabble.

Whether you want to be a Dr. Seuss, a brain surgeon, or a Christian, it's not the extra time but the overtime that will bring you success and, more importantly, God's approval.

So be diligent.