Guaranteed?!
Let’s say your dad is Chairman of the board of directors of a hospital group covering Boston, New York, Atlanta, and L.A. Let’s assume you and your Dad love each other and really have a ton in common: a love for medicine & healing arts. Filling out your college applications, he sits you down for a “career conversation”:
“I’ve put blood, sweat, and tears into this career to ensure you kids have a bright future. Lots of sacrifice. This contract guarantees you a job at any one of my facilities, provided you complete med school. But, the harder you study and the better you do on your internship, the better a position you’ll have. The better position you get, the more time we’ll get to see each other, go fishing in off time, etc. Just sign here and get to work on your education.”
He slides a bona fide contract across the desk to you stating exactly that, already signed by the remainder of the board and the CEOs of all 4 hospitals. Once you’re done with 14 years of training, the next 30-40 years are locked in. This is really happening. You in?
Me, too.
Question: How hard would you train in med school? What classes would you take? Would you sleep? Ever?
Would you take advanced cell biology classes, courses in cardio thoracic morphology, and advanced surgical techniques? Would you DOMINATE in gross anatomy class? Study partner with the best of the best? Heavens, yes.
What would you say if your college advisor recommended you take basket weaving and poetry for dummies? Would you show up late for class? Would you skip labs? “Hell, no.” (In a moment, you’ll see I mean that literally.)
How foolish would it be to waste any time during that 14 year period doing anything detrimental to the remaining 35-40 years?
Admission vs. Placement
See, if the job is guaranteed by your relationship to your dad, but the placement is based on your efforts, you might take seriously that your dad is no joke when it comes to what he promises vs. what he delivers. He’ll hold you to it – a bad transcript might have you changing bed pans with the orderlies after graduation…
If you’re a Christian, you believe admission to heaven (salvation) is based on what your Dad has done for you in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ… not based on the good things you’ve done in your transcript of life here on earth. But, one day, when you die – you’ll have graduated from this life and the Bible tells us you’ll come before Jesus to account for what you’ve done while here. Placement. You’re IN by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. But, the accolades, perks and position you receive when you get to heaven are based on what you did on your transcript.
Look, I know that given enough pavement, all analogies eventually break down roadside. But, if the med school analogy is an accurate picture of what eternal rewards look like, how seriously are we taking our pre-med/med school experience?
Are we showing up on time… putting in 100% effort at the classes that are aligned with our future station… investing time, talent, and treasure into things that will matter in eternity? Or, are we spending them on things irrelevant to knowing and enjoying our Father God more clearly and nearly?
Is the game on Sunday really about bringing your unchurched friends into relationship with Christ or are you getting comfy with the worries, riches, and pleasures of this world? I ain’t judgin’, just askin’: what needs to go from your calendar, your commitments, your plans?
So, are you building a strong transcript? Preparing for top placement? Good news – keeping one eye on today and one on that day is the shortest path to maximal rewards. Remember: vision (where you’re headed) should drive strategy and execution, not the other way around.
If you need someone to partner with you in developing an eternal mindset, it’s what I do for a living and by calling. Reach out and I can help you, your marriage, your church, or even your business.
Let’s train hard for our good and His glory, shall we?!