Ask yourself, So what?

Neil Armstrong made his first moon walk on July 20, 1969, two months before I entered college. I remember that many Americans were euphoric about this accomplishment. There were songs written, celebrations, ticker tape parades, and coins depicting an eagle landing on the moon.

Yet what really stands out in my memory was a poster on a classmate's dorm-room wall. It looked like the front page of a newspaper's special edition. The large photo dominating the upper half of the page showed Armstrong in his space suit, visor down, planting the U.S. flag into lunar soil. The banner headline screamed, "So what?"

I think the "So what?" poster was questioning whether the billions poured into the space program were justifiable while people in the U.S. and around the world were still suffering from hunger, poverty, illiteracy, and poor health care. Stewardship was the issue the poster was raising.

Most would agree the space program has been well worth its expense. The many spin-offs are not the only benefit. This great achievement forever transformed our assumptions of what is possible.

We should ask ourselves, "So what?" at the very moment we accomplish anything we are tempted to label "great." We should do this so habitually that we learn to ask it at the beginning of a project, not just at its end. Is this thing into which I am pouring so much of my time, money, and energy really worth it all? Will it change the world for the better? Will it change me?

The Master asked, "So what?" again and again. He wanted his disciples to count the cost, to inspect the fruit, to look down the broad road and up the narrow road. Many of His parables have to do with Judgment Day. The fire of judgment will burn up all the unworthy pursuits and the fly-by-night goals. What survives will be only what can face such a probing question with solid confidence.

Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean.

Go to his DeeperStudy.org for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore "The Shallows," plumb "The Depths," or use the well-organized "Study Links" for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve's free "DeeperStudy Newsletter."

---

Whats Perfect About Imperfection?

Let me try something new but please, please, please, let... Read More

Discipline is Essential for Self Improvement

Most of us are regularly exposed to information offering get... Read More

How To STAY on TARGET with Your BUSINESS Plans

Set your GOALS - write them down! Most of us... Read More

How to Break the Cycle of Postponing Your Dreams

Do you have a dream, but keep postponing it because... Read More

GOALS The Power Line to Success and Achievement

WHY DO WE NEED GOALS?Goals give you direction in all... Read More

Are Your Goals Exciting?

This may sound like a strange question, but are you... Read More

Willpower: Who Needs It? Not Me

What is this mysterious creature, this intangible element, this phantom... Read More

Making The Goal-Setting Process a Partnership

MAKING GOALS: Effective and motivational goals engage employees in work... Read More

Reaching Your Goals: A Ridiculous Way to Succeed

If you've ever had any sales training, you've probably been... Read More

Use the Law of Attraction to Build Your Business

Have you ever had something you wanted just fall into... Read More

Increase Your Knowledge: Read-and-Reap

Did you know that you see with your mind as... Read More

Set SMART Goals to Achieve More

Are you having trouble achieving your goals, or getting through... Read More

Sabbatical from Work? Start Here!

Many people envy academics who take sabbaticals. What they don't... Read More

Got Goals? Did You Reach Them?

Most of us have goals.Big ones, small ones. But not... Read More

Make 2005 Your Best Year Ever - Its Not Too Late!

We are moving rapidly through 2005, and you'll find previously... Read More

When Expectations Are Not Clear!

IntroductionThere were two incidents, which inspired me to write this... Read More

Self Improvement and the Importance of Flexibility

People who want to achieve success in their lives and... Read More

Priorities

Last month's edition of Footprints and Monuments was about living... Read More

Setting Goals and Obtaining Results

GOALS SHOULD BE QUANTIFIABLE: It should be possible to analyze... Read More

Actual Achievement Part 1

Sport is an excellent medium in which to explore the... Read More

Make This Your Most Productive Year Ever - 26 Tips

Each year we start the year thinking about our goals,... Read More

Creativity Management ? Short Term Goal Setting

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Ready, Set, Change!

I was at work one day, calling on a customer... Read More

The Twin Actions of Accomplishment

When it comes to achieving accomplishments there are two foundational... Read More

Challenge the Universe: Demand Your Desires!

There have been so many times in my life where... Read More