Gumption
We don’t hear much about gumption anymore. Too bad, since we need it more than ever these days. I was raised on gumption.
Can’t you just see it as a whole new academic field—”Gumptionology 101″—in some college catalog? That will never happen, however, since gumption is better caught than taught.
Most folks get a little gumption in their initial birth packet, but it’s a tool that rusts rather quickly. Here are some pointers that will help you keep it well oiled:
Gumption begins with a firm commitment. Daniel “made up his mind” long before he was dumped in a Babylonian boot camp Daniel 1:8 (NIV) But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Joshua didn’t hesitate to declare his commitment in his famous “as for me and my house” speech Joshua 24:14-15 (NIV) “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” You want gumption to continue to the end? Start strong!
Gumption means being disciplined one day at a time. Rather than focusing on the whole enchilada, take it in bite-sized chunks. The whole of any objective can overwhelm even the most courageous.
Gumption requires being alert to subtle temptations. Gumption plans ahead, watching out for associations that weaken us as in Proverbs 13:20-21 (NIV) He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. 21Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous, or procrastination that steals from us in Proverbs 24:30-34 (NIV) I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; 31thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. 32I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: 33A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-34and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man, and rationalizations that lie to us in Proverbs 23:4 (NIV) Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint, and Proverbs 25:28 (NIV) Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. People who achieve their goals stay alert.
Gumption requires the encouragement of accountability. At David’s low-water mark, his friend Jonathan stepped in. When Elijah was ready to cash in everything, along came Elisha. With Paul it was Timothy . . . or Silas or Barnabas or Dr. Luke. People need people, which is why Solomon came on so strong about iron sharpening iron in Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another..
Gumption comes easier when we remember that finishing has its own unique rewards. Jesus told the Father He had “accomplished” His assignment in John 17:4 (NIV) I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. On more than one occasion, Paul referred to “finishing the course” Acts 20:24 (NIV) However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace and 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. You see, desire accomplished is sweet to the soul.
If the journey seems extra long today, enjoy a gust of wind at your back from these words out of The Living Bible. It’s one of those gumption Scriptures: “Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up”(Galatians 6:9).
Gumption may be hidden, but it always shows
