“We count up, but God is counting down. We live our lives forward, but God is moving backward. . . . Teleology is a fancy word in philosophy. It’s the second habit of highly effective people: begin with the end in mind. That’s what God is. That’s what God does. . . . He winds the clock in a very different way. Simply put, God is counterclockwise.”- Mark Batterson
“We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand.”- Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
On Day 26 (“Play the Long Game”) of Do It for a Day, Mark Batterson asserts that considering long and acting quickly = a good rule of thumb when it comes to winding the clock. Because we need to keep an eye on our long-term goals. However, we also must act quickly, act decisively. So, when it comes to making and breaking habits, strike while the iron is hot.
In addition, Pastor Batterson views motivation as a form of energy. And as a form of energy, it tends to dissipate over time. Thus, setting goals that take a lifetime to achieve forces you to wind the clock by thinking long. Above all, Mark exhorts:
“The good works you’re destined to do are already prepared. God is setting you up! God is counting down. That’s where holy confidence comes from. That redefines what it means to reimagine the prize. It’s already been accomplished in the spiritual realm!”
Finally, in June 1985, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates climbed the western face of Siula Grande – elevation 20,814 feet. However, Mark notes, what goes up the mountain needs to come down. Most significantly, 80 percent of mountain accidents occur on the downward trek.
And on the morning of June 8, Joe Simpson slipped on the ice and fell 1500 feet into a crevasse. The fall shattered his leg. But on one leg, he found a way out. Then, he crawled six miles to the base camp. Simpson made it because he set measurable goals. He turned his ordeal into a game. Thus, he used his obstacles as motivation. Not as an excuse.
Today’s question: What does it mean to you that God’s moving backward, counting down? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “On the cutting edge – yesterday”
