Morning Dew
Key Scripture: Matthew 10:38-42
Key text: Matthew 10:42 – “But one thing is needed…”
The Hedgehog and The Fox
The fox is a cunning creature, able to devise a myriad of complex strategies for sneak attacks upon the hedgehog. Day in and day out, the fox circles around the hedgehog’s den, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. Fast, sleek, beautiful, fleet of foot, and crafty—the fox looks like the sure winner. The hedgehog, on the other hand, is a dowdier creature, looking like a genetic mix-up between a porcupine and a small armadillo. He waddles along, going about his simple day, searching for lunch and taking care of his home.
The fox waits in cunning silence at the juncture in the trail. The hedgehog, minding his own business, wanders right into the path of the fox. “Aha, I’ve got you now!” thinks the fox. He leaps out, bounding across the ground, lightning fast. The little hedgehog, sensing danger, looks up and thinks, “Here we go again. Will he ever learn?” Rolling up into a perfect little ball, the hedgehog becomes a sphere of sharp spikes, pointing outward in all directions. The fox, bounding toward his prey, sees the hedgehog defense and calls off the attack. Retreating back to the forest, the fox begins to calculate a new line of attack. Each day, some version of this battle between the hedgehog and the fox takes place, and despite the greater cunning of the fox, the hedgehog always wins. Culled from Good to Great, by Jim Collins.
Like the hedgehog, we must learn to live with clarity as to what we are best at and stick to that. Simplicity. Focus. Precision. Single-Minded. These are all words we associate with successful people, who achieve great things. In the design world, it appears that those who can simplify their thoughts into a simple design always end up with the winning concept. I like simple, yet profound designs. This is not a mystery, but a reality about the creation of God and how he designed us. God has designed all of us to be great at one thing, perhaps better than any other person in the world at that thing.
Most of us are doing many good things, at the expense of the one great thing God designed us to do. These good things are the enemy of the great in our lives.
Paul said ‘one thing I do….’. David said ‘one thing have I desired…..’. Jesus said to Martha about Mary ‘one thing is needed……’. What is the one thing you are born to accomplish? What is the one thing you can do that gives you the greatest amount of joy? What is the one thing you will gladly do and enjoy doing even if there is no immediate reward? What were you born to do? What are you naturally gifted at? What are you genetically coded to do? Fish is born to swim and in water, you can’t match the fish in swimming. Birds are designed to fly and even the greatest contraption of man cannot compete with the birds of the air. What are you designed to do?
Today, life is becoming very complex. There are too many things to do. We do too many things to survive and keep up, but God wants us to focus and simplify our lives. God wants us to be that person, He has destined us to be.
In this one thing, you will find complete fulfillment. In this one thing, you will find great success. In this one thing, you will find joy. In this one thing, above everything else, you will bring the most glory to God, because you are doing exactly what he created you for and so He will be very pleased with you. I have often heard that a man standing in his purpose and calling is indestructible. I think I know why now. When you do what He designed you to do, all His resources are at your disposal to help you fulfil His objective for creating you.
Stop being a fox; learn from the hedgehog and simplify your life. Let’s go back to the one thing God designed us to be.
Let’s Pray: Dear Father, please help me today to look deeply into myself and come to the realisation that I am most probably dissipating my energy doing things you have not designed or destined me to do. I am most likely doing many good things that are keeping me away from the one great thing you planned for me. Help me Lord to arrive at the place, where I gladly drop all other things and focus on the one thing you made me for. I ask for this grace in Jesus name. Amen.