The Road toward ‘Average’ Is Paved By Good Intentions; The Road toward ‘Greatness’ Is Paved With Action.

Productivity is what makes things go! It’s what separates Nations and economies one from another. Some countries are developed and some are not. Much of the reason can be traced to the freedom with which people are permitted to produce! Communist countries for example are lagging behind in technological advancements because the spirit of productivity is squelched. The governments need to control things hampers ingenuity from springing forth!

Let me go back and pull from the thought I touched on in chapter one about the Declaration of Independence and slavery. … all men were created equal and they are “endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

The idea of Liberty is the one I want to focus on. It takes liberty to produce. It takes freedom to give life all that you’ve got. The Declaration of Independence that was signed on July 4^th 1776 was good but let me give you one better. Jesus of Nazareth declared our eternal independence over 2000 years ago when He said “it is finished”! (St. John 19:30)

This death defying statement was the declaration of the human family in that the ultimate price of our freedom was now paid for! As a result of our freedom we are now free to PRODUCE at the highest levels. We can produce results in every dimension of life. spiritually, physically and even financially.

Take a moment and listen to the words of the Apostle Paul.

Phi 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

It is hard to miss interpret the meaning behind these words. All things means just that. All things! What a thought! We can discover further truths as we look at this text in its full context. Paul was speaking about his posture for success in every kind of circumstance he found himself in. He had found that place where he couldn’t be stopped! No matter what. Paul said that he was unstoppable! He knew how to adjust! He could do all or he could endure-all things!

What excites me the most about this is that he let us in on the secret to his success. He made it clear that it was Christ that strengthened him! It was through Christ that all of this confidence was derived!

Wait a minute! It gets better! As we back up a few verses to the 8^th verse, Paul makes an incredible claim that is loaded with insight for living. This man is telling us that we can govern how we “think”! Can you imagine!! Get ready to be changed forever!

Phi 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

This verse unlocks the commonly shared theory that Thoughts lead to feelings. Feelings lead to actions. Actions lead to results. If this is the case then we can trace our results back to our thoughts.

How important is it for you to produce at a high level. How you think about this will no doubt affect your approach to being a productive person or a slacker shall we say. The good news is however that even if you formerly put the “S” in the word Slacker, you too can change.

One way to do so is to stay connected to the Vine.