Think a minute…Michael Jordan is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player ever. His coach Phil Jackson said he knew he could not teach Jordan more on his playing skills; however, Coach Jackson could help Jordan improve his leadership skills. So, Jackson began teaching Jordan to lead and help his teammates become their best also. And it worked! Their team, the Chicago Bulls, became one of the most successful basketball teams in history.
Great artists become great because they spend years improving their abilities. Centuries ago, a young Greek artist named Timanthes studied under a master teacher. After several years of daily labor, young Timanthes painted a beautiful work of art. He was so pleased with his painting that he spent days looking at it.
One morning he arrived to find his prized work totally covered over with paint. Timanthes was shocked when his teacher admitted he had destroyed the painting. His teacher said: “I did it for your own good and future success. That painting was stopping your progress. You need to start a new painting and try to do better.” Fortunately, Timanthes took his teacher’s advice, and he went on to paint what is regarded as one of the greatest paintings from that era of history: the Sacrifice of Iphigenia.
Before today’s world-famous cellist Yo Yo Ma, there was the legendary musician Pablo Casals. He was celebrating his 95th birthday when a reporter asked him: “Mr. Casals, you are 95-years-old and the greatest cellist who ever lived. Why do you still practice 6 hours a day?” Casals answered, “Because I’m still improving.”
The most satisfying way to live and not become bored is to keep learning throughout your lifetime. You are always “a work in progress.” A wise man said: “No one can be truly happy and feel good about himself if he only does enough to survive. Animals, not human beings, are satisfied with simply surviving.” There is always room for improvement. But it is completely up to us whether or not we choose to continue improving our character, mind, marriage, parenting, family relationships, friendships, career, etc.
It is only with God in control that your possibilities are unlimited. If you will put your heart and life in His hands, Jesus can help you with His power each day to keep improving every area of your life, so you can become all that He created you to be. Just think a minute…