“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people. . .”
– Galatians 6:9-10
My bowl of cereal was sitting in front of me that morning while I thumbed through the newspaper, as is my custom, when my attention was unexpectedly drawn away from the usual business and sports news that normally captured my attention, to a book review. The year was 1994 when book review articles were not exactly top priority, especially given the tight schedule I was on to get to the office. But the title of this newly released book grabbed me, Halftime by (the now late) Bob Buford, a book addressed to people – men mostly – in or approaching midlife. Until that moment I had never considered that I was at that exact point in life. By day’s end, however, the book was in my possession.
For most of my life I had been led to believe that my lot in life was to become successful, by that I mean financially successful, and by 1994 my career was certainly on the rise. But looking back now I realize that while financial security is always appealing, the effort and sacrifice it was going to take to attain it was not so appealing – not for me at least. Nevertheless, over the next several years my career did continue to advance, and accordingly my fortunes grew as well. Yet, at the same time Buford’s message of “changing one’s game plan from success to significance” nagged at me, causing me to question my motives of pursuing success versus focusing instead on doing good.
Today I’m happy to report that the latter eventually won out over the former, and while we continue to live comfortably, the wealth and status I had once believed to be my lot in life never materialized. And how blessed my life has been as a result.
To think it all happened so unexpectedly over a routine bowl of cereal and the morning newspaper, a message I’m convinced was from God – conveyed through Bob Buford’s book – that would profoundly change my life. For that I will be forever grateful. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people. . .”