Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Ready…Fire…Aim!”
”The Lord formed and brought me [Wisdom] forth at the beginning of His way, before His acts of old.” – Proverbs 8:22 (Amplified Bible)

Knowing how, where and when to begin a project is a critical part of any organization. It’s the wrong way to discharge a deadly weapon, but it works well in some organizations, particularly start-up organizations. In a controlled military environment the rifle instructor will announce, “Ready on the left; ready on the right; ready on the firing line,” followed by, “Commence firing.” Or, the more conventional expression is used, “Ready…Aim…Fire.” But organizational theory allows for reversing the second and third commands—firing and then adjusting your aim before firing again. Entrepreneurial types love it. Traditional theorists find it risky. Realists are willing to experiment with it.
It’s all about marketing. And creativity. And energy. And movement. And productivity. And high morale. It’s also the title of a book (2008) by Michael Masterson. It reached #5 on the N.Y. Times Bestseller List. The sub-title is “Zero to $100 Million in No Time Flat.” Fascinating. The concept surfaced in the days of the dot-com boom. Initially it meant that you can present a new idea in its unfinished state, get immediate feedback, and fine-tune it to fit with your goals and objectives. It allows you to cut through long-held strategies and management systems with new ideas, without having to prove the value of the ideas in advance of their implementation. If it works, market it. If not, discard it. But does this principle work in not-for-profit enterprises? Can Masterson’s strategies work in education or ministry or fund raising…and more importantly…will it work in your personal relationship with Christ?
I’ve noticed something in a lot of places and people that is deeply disturbing and it is directly related to this very thing—skipping a “step” to expedite things or ignoring important principles with the purpose of just getting something over and done with. Take the easy road. Simply do what is necessary but nothing more. I am glad that from the very beginning God did not “skip” a step or take the easy road to see that things were done right. He did not wait for public opinion polls—marketing strategists—the media to see things through. When it came to Salvation, Jesus did not shy away from the steps necessary to see it through. He was given several opportunities to take another road—go a different route—but He did not! From my perspective, He was rather successful!
One of my favorite “Advent” scriptures is this one from the book of Galatians: “When the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” (Galatians 4:4-5) This shows that God was very careful in His “aim.” He knew then, as He knows now…just how and when to get things done. Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Life is a journey, not a destination.” What that tells me is that each day means having a strategy…a plan and an approach for the day. Hopefully, a part of that includes spending time with Jesus—allowing Him to help map out your day. He has been doing it for centuries and has a proven track-record.
Pastor J. T. Carnell