If you notice anything that is working, it only means there’s something right going on behind the scenes.
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is regarded as the fastest man on the planet. The Jamaican first held the 100m world record in 2008 at the Reebok Grand Prix in the Icahn Stadium in New York.
According to Olympics.com, Usain currently holds the world records for men’s 100m, 200m sprints and was part of the 4x100m world record-holding Jamaican quartet that included Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Yohan Blake.
When asked in an interview about his training routine, Usain revealed that he trained consistently for six days in a week, eleven months in a year. And he normally had both morning and afternoon training sessions. He added that “It’s a lot of work.”
Most often than not, the hard work that goes on behind the scenes is hardly noticed as people are mostly excited with what is outwardly displayed. Consequently, most people miss out on the fact that it is what happens behind the scenes that produces what is seen.
People who do not understand this principle chase after success without appreciating the price of diligence that has to be paid behind the scenes. Someone once said, “The only place success comes before work is a dictionary.” In the real world, it is the other way round.
Jesus taught us this by example. We learn that He spent the first thirty years of His life in obscurity. At least, we are given a peep into what went into this period in Scripture.
“When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom…After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” (Luke 2:42,46)
Among other things, Jesus was behind the scenes familiarizing Himself with all the customs and practices of the Jews. He was also drinking deep from the fountain of knowledge. Of course, from the perspective of His divinity He didn’t have to study. But on the human level, His life is to serve as an example for us to emulate.
We also learn that Jesus had the daily habit of isolating Himself to wait upon God before starting His day.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)
Every great life is like an iceberg. The visible success is a small portion of the bigger mass of productive habits hidden beneath the surface. It is what goes on behind the scenes that will determine what surfaces.
“…Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:4)
Get it right behind the scenes and the outward display of your success will take care of itself.
Written by P/Overseer Kwesi Baidoo (0207079250)