Inspiration comes from the Bible. Inspiration comes in other ways too. A sports radio talk show host spoke words several years ago that I’ve taken to heart. The words are “Grind Often, Celebrate Rarely.” The radio host used those words to describe successful sports franchises that focus on the discipline of gettng better as a team. They celebrate their successes, but they quickly move forward to focus on the next season. They don’t act as if one championship is the end game. They keep making forward progress. Examples in recent years include the Pittsburgh Steelers, San Antonio Spurs, and the Golden State Warriors.
While these are not biblical words, I think they speak to church life. As followers of Jesus, we need to keep working to be the best we can be in our service to God. We also need to keep engaging in the ministry we are called to do. If we rest on our laurels or pat ourselves on the back too much, we don’t move forward.
Ultimately, we need to find beauty in the “grind” and we need to be “humble” when we reach those special moments. The grind might involve gettng up early, morning exercise, daily devotions, and taking chances throughout the day. The grind isn’t glamorous, but it can result in wonderful achievements down the road.
Poet Robert Frost once said, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” The grind is often the road less traveled. It’s usually the one others don’t want to take and it’s not easy, but the rewards are greater later on.
Humility is also essential in our journeys. As we get to those moments of accomplishment, it’s easy to think we have arrived and we can celebrate. A lttle
celebration might be good, but we have to continue moving forward. Madeleine L’Engle would say, “Humility is throwing oneself away in complete concentration on something or someone else.”
Might we consider the impact of the words, “Grind often, celebrate rarely.” This approach to life makes a difference!
Peace and blessings, Scott