Bill Hybels concludes Chapter 8 of Simplify with an illustration from one of his favorite replenishers, sailboat racing.
One kind of sailboat-racing event is a regatta. A regatta usually consists of seven to ten races. Points are awarded in order of finish in each race. The crew with the lowest overall score is the winner and receives the champion’s trophy- aka “the hardware.”
Winning crew members of each individual race receive a smaller prize, usually a hat from a corporate sponsor. Sailors care little about the hats- it’s the hardware that truly matters.
In one particular regatta the crew Bill was part of had a chance to win the hardware. All their boat had to do was stay ahead of their closest competitor to win the race. They didn’t have to finish first. At one point, the crew lost focus and tried to pass other boats in front of them. Their tactician, an experienced America’s Cup racer, got them back on track: “Boys, it’s hats or hardware.”
Bill states that having a life verse is our hardware:
“Having a life verse is one of the most powerful tools I know for simplifying your life. Like a lighthouse in the darkness, it keeps you on course. It helps you make wise decisions about where to invest your time, energy, and gifts. It drives you to live each day with fervency and passion.”
Today’s question: What life verse have you selected or are you considering? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The seasons of our lives”
