Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday October 20, 2009

The other day I talked for a long time with a friend who is coming up as an executive in his chosen profession. We discussed a business project which if culminated should make a few million dollars. I asked him if was going to change from one vendor to a different one due to size. He assured me the supplier in question could rise to the occasion and besides he said, "I want to dance with the one what brung me" an old Texas saying with its own story.

His comment reminded me of the advice of a man who knew a few of the "great ones" in his chosen field. He had climbed pretty high in the music business and one day, out of nowhere he hit some serious snags and wound up in a downward spin. In time he made corrections and climbed back to near where he had been. He told me one of the reasons for his success was that he had not forgotten those who helped him up the first time. His advice was the old adage, "Be kind to folks on your way up, because they’re the ones who will catch or let you fall on your way down." Of course he was right.

Coach John Wooden said:

"Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful."

Which of the three above attitudes do you see on display the most? Tragically it is number three, conceit. It has been stated by greater ones than me that conceited people especially in the Lord's work would get much farther and accomplish much more were they to adapt the attitude of Christ. I agree.

As I am entering the last lap of life I find that I agree more with Clarence Darrow than I do the Apostle Paul. Paul said he had fought a good fight, had kept the faith and was expecting a grand reward when he would meet Christ to the face.

Clarence Darrow of the Scopes trial fame near the end of his life said,

"I have fished all night and caught nothing."

I often feel this is a more appropriate saying for me as I am nowhere near the point I started for in the long ago. Perhaps there is more fruit to my efforts than meet the eye.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2009 Use with Credit.

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