Motivate to Succeed

I love following Dean Grossman from NYU.  His commencement address to the graduating class year after year is something I look forward to reading.  His speeches are so eloquent. Each year he has something new to say. Each year he not only motivates these professionals of tomorrow, but he motivates me.

 

The following is an excerpt from Deans Grossman’s address to the graduating class of 2018. I hope it becomes useful to your life as I know i will apply many aspects in my life and in my children’s lives.

• Have assurance, but not arrogance, in your abilities.

• Be receptive to criticism, for that enables learning.

• Believe in yourself. You have navigated a very difficult knowledge base. You have assimilated an amazing number of facts. You have performed at the highest level.

• And if the house officer or attending assumes you know very little—so be it, don’t be offended—just quietly prove her wrong.

• Appreciate how you feel when someone undervalues your knowledge, intelligence, or insights and try not to replicate that behavior as you ascend the career ladder. This will make you an empathetic leader and, I might add, a better person.

• Lastly, remember others may underestimate you, but you should never underestimate yourself! AND NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP!

For each point Dean Grossman stated, I found comfort in a scripture.

So today I may not be standing before a podium addressing the masses on their future Career.  I am actually finding comfort behind a screen typing away on my keyboard on how to maximize on these words using GOD’S WORD.

• Proverbs 13:10 Pride causes arguments, but those who listen to others are wise.

 

• Hebrews 5:8  Jesus was the Son of God, but he still suffered, and through his sufferings he learned to obey whatever God says.

 

• Proverbs 31:25 She is a strong person, and people respect her. She looks to the future with confidence.
• James 3:13 
  [ True Wisdom ] Are there any among you who are really wise and understanding? Then you should show your wisdom by living right. You should do what is good with humility. A wise person does not boast.
• Hebrews 10:34-36  Yes, you helped them in prison and shared in their suffering. And you were still happy when everything you owned was taken away from you. You continued to be happy, because you knew that you had something much better—something that would continue forever. So don’t lose the courage that you had in the past. Your courage will be rewarded richly. You must be patient. After you have done what God wants, you will get what he promised you.

 

• Proverbs 3:6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.

 

We as Christians can not only put to practice the word of God, but even inspiring words of leaders, educators and public speakers.  Always remember though to find comfort first in God’s word. You can make Parallels of God’s word and apply them in your lives.

There is proof that even the advice given in this commencement speech, has been given to us for many years in the bible.

• So Do not have Pride, and listen.
• Learn from everything that life throws at you, learn from what the scriptures tells you.
• Be strong and confident.
• Remain humble despite the knowledge and wisdom you gain.
• Have courage.
• Be Happy.
• Be Patient.
• Help others & ask for help along the way.

 

Though this is only a snippet of an amazing commencement speech.  We are able to use his advice, support it with the Lords word to show that the same advice we are getting in the flesh, is the same advice God tries to tell us.

We have to keep our eyes, ears , mind and heart open when we meditate in the word to be able to hear what he has been trying to tell us.

All in his Time.

Shine

 “…Let your light shine before others, 

that they may see 

your good deeds 

and glorify 

your father in heaven.”  

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Good deeds are hard to come by. It’s a saying that I keep hearing time and time again.
Then we have folks that always have to share their good deeds. Broadcast ant time they help someone. That should not be the case.
We should not need to boast every time a deed is done. When you do something for someone great. How did it make them feel? How did it make you feel? How do you think God feel? That good act you did glorifies God. He felt awesome, glad, proud. Saying that’s my son…. attaboy…. there’s my princess….attagirl.
Why now does one need to seek the approval of the masses on social media?
Do you remember (not gonna lie I just sang do you remember mentally Michael Jackson in my head ), but do you remember a time before social media? A time when good deeds were only shares with the parties involved?
They felt great, you felt great, God felt great. Now we have people whom boast…. do you know what God is probably doing??? 
Here’s an imagery:

God just saw your deed. God says ” yes my child, shine my child, hallelu….. wait… what are you doing?”

God: shakes his head, hands up asking:

God : “why????

do you value their opinions more than mine?

“Do you need their approval?

That feeling you had before, I gave you that, I told you to do that…. was I not enough?”
Ouch!
Let’s not idolize others.

Let’s not seek the approval of others.

It’s ok to share when giving a testimony.

To share for approval, to boast that you did a good deed….that’s not pure of heart. That hurts God.
Next time you do a good deed, savor that moment with God.

You will shine, your acts just glorified him. Let’s keep somethings simple, something’s discreet, something’s private. Let’s not get lost and loose a blessing by seeking acceptance from others. Let’s live as if social media doesn’t exist in some cases. The only one we need approval from is God.
Father God I thank you today for another opportunity to lift your band in praise. I thank you for this day. I want to shine glorifying you and only you. Please help me keep that fire burning, help me continue to shine forever more. In your name I pray. AMEN