...And Then Some

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Having the right attitude is to see through the eyes of faith. Attitude, I have learned, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, more important than education, more important than money, more important than circumstances, more important than failures, more important than successes, more important than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, more important than giftedness and more important than skill.

It will make or break a company, a church. a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can change and control is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. Winston Churchill once said, “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”

Attitude is more important than reality.  Hebrews 11:1 tells us “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 says: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

The kind of attitude that I have been writing about this week is a synonym to faith. It is not what is seen that determines our future; it is what is unseen. The reality of our circumstances may not be pleasant or conducive to our success. But the unseen attitude of our spirit is what really matters. I ran across this a few years ago, and can't remember where I got it (I say that to let you know it is not original with me), but it is so true.


The secret to success is found in three little words. Those three little words are "And  then  some." They are the difference between average people and top people in most companies. The top people always do what  is expected...and then some. They are thoughtful of others; they are considerate and kind...and then some. They meet their responsibilities fairly and squarely...and then some. They are good friends and helpful neighbors... and then some. They can be counted on in an emergency...and then  some. Their spirit of service is summed up in these three little words...and then some.  


I want to close with a statement that is not intended as a guilt trip, but rather as a challenge. If the above secret to success is true, could it be possible that we could adopt the same mantra for success in our relationship with God...do what the average Christian does...and then some! I don't want to define what and then some may be for you. I just want to explore what can I do to be success in my relationship with God....and then some!