Workbox 05: Following Through
The keys and benefits of finishing what you started
Welcome back to The Workbox, where we put theology into practice! Today's post considers the topic of following through. I first taught this to my students in my lecture series on Work. Here, I will explain the three keys, followed by the three benefits of a person who follows through.
First, a parable: consider for a moment a parable that Jesus spoke in Matthew 21. There was a father who had two sons. He went to the first and asked him to work in the fields. The son said he would not go but later regretted his choice, changed his mind, and did as his father asked. The father went to the second son and asked him the same thing. The son said that he would go but did not. Jesus asks the listeners which son did the will of the father. Or, for our purposes, which son followed through?
When it comes to following through, the first thing that must be done is establishing a goal. When we have a plan in mind, we create a standard of achievement. There are specific actions that will get us closer to that goal and steps that will draw us farther away. We must have a goal. There is a quote that is often said: "Begin with the end in mind." People are unavoidably goal-oriented. Every day, we make decisions to achieve our desired outcomes. The problem is that people often do not think long term, beyond a day or a few days at a time. My students often struggle with thinking past a week at a time. The first step is to create a goal.
There are three keys to consider to follow through with any given goal. The first is determination, the second is discipline, and the third is diligence. One needs all three to work in conjunction with one another in order to achieve one's goal. We will sift through each key before we discuss the benefits of following through.
DETERMINATION: THE GRIT
The first key is determination. Determination embodies the idea of resoluteness or firmness of purpose. When you have established a goal, you must be determined to follow through to the end. To achieve a goal may take some time. An example would be weightlifting. If you desire to lift a certain weight, it will take time to reach that level of lifting, be it the bench press or the squat. Determination is the grit. It hears the doubts of defeat and decides that no matter what, it will keep on chugging away toward the goal.
DISCIPLINE: THE GRIND
The second is discipline. Referring back to the weightlifting analogy, you cannot skip leg day. Discipline, similar to determination, is essential to follow through with your goal. It entails self-control and resilience. Sometimes, the process of achieving a goal is marked by struggle and failure, but maintaining discipline will enable you to endure and withstand until that goal is met. Discipline helps in resisting shortcuts and cutting corners. Discipline is the work. It is the day-in and day-out grind of doing.
DILIGENCE: THE GUTS
The third key is diligence. Diligence is defined as the attitude that underlies both determination and discipline. If discipline is what you do to achieve the goal, diligence is how you achieve it. Diligence implies effort and efficiency. It does not shirk responsibility or avoid the hard road. Diligence takes the best path and enables you to work hard to stay on it.
Now that we have discussed the keys to following through. Let's turn our attention to the benefits of following through. These keys can be used in a myriad of situations and can be used repeatedly along the same pathway toward achieving a goal. Use the benefits wisely and continue working hard to utilize the keys for success in achieving goals.
THREE BENEFITS
The three benefits of following through are counted as gains: gains in trust, opportunity, and endurance. We will take these benefits each in turn and explore them thoroughly, beginning with gains in trust and ending with gains in endurance.
GAIN IN TRUST
First, we will consider gain in trust. The gain of trust is a foundational benefit of following through. For example, if you are a consistent and reliable employee known for following through on assigned tasks, you will gain trust in the workplace. This gain in trust naturally allows for the subsequent two benefits: opportunity and endurance. To be trusted by others is a great benefit. It is also a mark of great character.
GAIN IN OPPORTUNITY
Gain in opportunity is the fruit of trust. As you become a trusted member of a group, you will gain more opportunities to serve, encourage, and love them. You gain more responsibility since you have demonstrated that you can maintain the level that you currently have. You are dependable. Opportunities create moments to excel and show what you are capable of. These opportunities are also necessary in achieving long-term goals that you may have created. If you want to become a manager at a store but currently are a fry cook, you will need to have opportunities to progress through the staff positions until you have reached the rank of manager.
The gain of opportunity negates the need for discernment. It takes wisdom to know which opportunity to take and which to reject. One must be able to hold the goal in mind and not be totally captivated by the excitement or stress of the latest opportunity.
GAIN IN ENDURANCE
Third and final is the benefit of endurance. Endurance flows from wisely using the previous two benefits. As you practice discernment and gain more trust and opportunity, you will strengthen the muscles to endure and hold the goal in your mind's eye. Life can be long, and we need to plan for many things. We cannot always foresee what is coming over the horizon at us, but we must wisely prepare. We contentedly work where God has placed us and keep our eyes open for when and where he wants us to go. As we endure and strive for what God has for us, we honor him and help others.
IN SUMMARY
In summary, there are three keys to following through determination, discipline, and diligence. There are also three benefits when you follow through: trust, opportunity, and endurance. It is essential to use these benefits wisely. Equally important is always to trust the Lord with your goals and to live with open hands. Commit your ways to God, and he will uphold you. Sometimes, this does not look like how we want it to. When that happens, we must strive to be content and continue doing the right thing. Resist the temptation to be discontent and to take matters into our own hands.
Ultimately, we must trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. I pray that you use the keys and benefits well in your life. Apply them wisely and live well. In the meantime, put your theology to work. Until next time!
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what happened last week is posted below or you can find it in the archives.
