2.4.26 – Purposeful Work

Life is easier when you can see what it looks like at the end of the journey. Bad endings require changes now (Jer. 7:3–7; 26:13), and blissful endings require perseverance (Matt. 10:22; Rom. 2:7; Gal. 6:9; Heb. 3:14; James 1:12; Rev. 2:10, 17, 26; 3:21; etc.). If you knew that marriage—spiritually and physically—was about making a commitment, signing a contract, making a lifetime covenant, and determining that you will do your part 100% of the time, what do you think would happen? (Ex. 19:8; 24:3, 7) 

Within our Torah portion this week, Yitro (Ex. 18–24), I have chosen to take a slightly different perspective. Instead of overloading you with Scriptures, I am trying to lay out for you principles that are found within the Torah portion that you can find yourself. In other words, I am giving you the endgame and encouraging you to find the means to that endgame :-).

I grew up in an athletic family. I loved playing the sport of baseball and always wanted to be in the big leagues—not so much to become rich and famous, but to just say that I made it. I knew it would take hard work, and I knew that it would require inspiration and perspiration.

One of the modern-day heroes who spurs thousands of kids to pursue the big leagues is "The Captain," Hall of Famer Derek Jeter. He owes his induction into the Hall of Fame to the annual contract his parents made him sign. And if he failed in any area of his parents' contract, it meant he could not play baseball that year.

Unlike the last multimillion-dollar contract with the Yankees, his first contract that he signed was worth zero dollars. It was a contract with his parents. Before each school year, his parents would outline their expectations for him in a contract. It contained such items as: no drugs, no alcohol, no arguing, respecting adults, treating girls with honor, curfew, etc. And once again—to remind you—he would have to sign it. If he violated the contract, there would be no baseball. It was these contracts that started his journey of success.

Within our Torah portion and "The Captain's" life, there are several timeless lessons that I think we can all learn, whether you are raising a superstar and/or becoming a superstar yourself. Success is not an accident! It does not just happen. At first, "The Captain" did not understand the contracts that his parents gave to him. They were just a hokey thing that his parents did. But over time, he saw the purposeful intention behind them. They built the framework for success. He said in his Hall of Fame speech that successful people are not that way by accident. They worked on it. They intentionally grew into it.

Their success came because of being accountable (Matt. 12:36; Eccl. 11:9; 2 Cor. 5:10; etc.). Accountability is trained. It is nurtured. Everyone would agree that accountability is essential, but you are not born with it. It is a character trait that is taught and nurtured. This was the primary purpose of the contracts. He said, "Accountable people become successful people." And when one becomes successful, you need to stay grounded. I do not mean like fielding a ground ball or walking barefoot in the grass… but stay grounded! Just because you have some success, you cannot allow that to get to your head. One of "The Captain's" big success realities came in high school when he was being drafted as the sixth player in the draft by the New York Yankees. In spite of the fame, his relentless parents still made him sign the contract. If he would not, he was not allowed to play baseball. His authorities taught him to stay grounded.

All three of these success principles have a common theme: accountability. There are two primary types: accountability to yourself and accountability to others. There is a clear distinction between the two. Knowing the difference is how you develop yourself as well as the people around you. Goals are meaningless without a commitment to do the work (Titus 3:8, 14)! That commitment is built on personal accountability.

So... how do you develop personal accountability? You can have an accountability partner who helps you stay accountable to yourself. Or you can make your goals public to create a sense of social pressure to hold yourself accountable. Or you can use tracking systems to achieve your progress—by remembering where you have been, taking inventory of where you are, and never forgetting about where you are going :-).

Whatever system you use, you have to be accountable to yourself. It is essential. Plan what you need to do to accomplish your goals. Plan and then do it consistently. I know that sounds simple, and it is. And I know that most people do not do it. They do not actually plan their year, their quarter, their month, their week, or their day, and so they cannot do what leads to success. When consistency is lacking, progress is random, unpredictable, erratic, and unreliable. Simply put: be consistent! The results will take care of themselves.

The other essential of accountability is: be accountable to others. Being accountable to others creates trust. Trust is the foundation of all relationships, in a marriage and/or any unit of people working for a predetermined outcome. You are accountable to your teammates. And you are accountable to your family—to your spouse and kids. At work, you are accountable to colleagues and customers. Specifically, you are accountable for fulfilling your responsibilities. When you do this, you become indispensable. "The Captain's" contract is a prime example of him being accountable to his parents. Training hard during summer conditioning is you being accountable to your teammates. Doing high-quality, detailed, and professional work is you being accountable to your customers. Following through on a project is you being accountable to your colleagues. Nobody becomes their best without a team! Do not slack on your commitments to others, and you can be inducted into the Kingdom of Heaven Hall of Fame.

BTW, do you think God has a contract for His people (Ex. 19:3–8; 1 Pet. 2:5–8)? For mankind in general (Mic. 6:8)?

Yes!

Shalom,
Alan