SCRIPTURE: “But I discipline my body and bring [it] into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1Corinthians 9:27).
QUOTE: “With self-discipline most anything is possible” -Theodore Roosevelt.
NOTES:
When you compete in a field where everybody has equal qualifications, same education, exposure and expertise, you are on an even playing field and the only thing you can do to win is to find an advantage or create competitive leverage. Your success will demand that you find an edge. An edge can be any set of skills that sets you apart from everyone else on the planet. Something that makes you an exception and not someone that is at the same level as the rest of the pack.
Finding, growing and unleashing this edge is what enhancing personal effectiveness is all about. It’s about going the extra mile to develop and hone your skills, faster and better than others would. Effectiveness answers to discipline – hence, personal effectiveness is a direct product of personal discipline. According to Juliet Ehimuan, the Country Director of Google West Africa, “To be effective personally and professionally, there are five disciplines you need to have”. The discipline of Vision; the discipline of having the right attitude; the discipline of having empowering beliefs; leverage technology; and the discipline of time management. Discipline must be cultivated if you’re going to enhance your personal effectiveness.
ILLUSTRATION:
Apostle Paul was a man greatly used of God in his time. He didn’t walk closely with Jesus like the 12 disciples during the earthly sojourn of Jesus yet God used him to write two-third of the new testament. What was the secret of this man who considered himself to be the least of the apostles yet his impact is still being felt today many centuries after his death? Simply put, Apostle Paul was a disciplined person.
His level of discipline and commitment was seen long before his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. In our scriptural text, we see him declare, “… I discipline my body and bring [it] into subjection..”. Apostle Paul’s effectiveness in ministry is still being felt today. I believe his personal discipline enhanced his effectiveness in ministry.
REFLECTION:
- Are you a disciplined person? What can you do to cultivate personal discipline?
TWO YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Kings 8 – 9, Psalm 8