Christian Living

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Obtaining Success
© 2005
by

Stephen A. Peterson


While entertaining students and well-wishers at Indiana University—Bloomington in the 1960’s, an admirer of Bob Hope stopped the well-known entertainer stepped forward to shake his hand then remarked: “Mr. Hope, I’d give both arms and legs if I could entertain people like you! You’re the greatest, sir!”

Mr. Hope smiled and responded, “Could you work eight to twelve hours a day, be told that what you just said makes no sense or be told to leave because someone didn’t like your politics?”

So often the tendency is to believe a person’s success is the result of innate God given skills and abilities and, worse yet, luck! However, when one examines that admired person’s career and life more often than not, people who rise to the top of their professions and fields have devoted untold years, effort, and the pains and suffering to develop their talents or skills.

Definiteness of purpose, sacrifice and belief in God for strength and direction was an integral part in Bob Hope’s career and is more than likely a part of every successful person’s life history. Success does not suddenly happen or occur by luck as so many believe. Those who have a talent or can identify a skill or ability must decide how much time, energy, dedication and willingness to sacrifice in other areas of life to end of their expressed talent or skill. Willingness to not give into failure or rejection will determine, to a great extent, whether desired results will be realized.

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