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Apples of Gold
Radio Script for July 1, 2009
“Challenge for a Higher Position”
Hello, I’m Doug Apple…with Apples of Gold.
Some people think of high school band as a place for the weak kids, but I guess that depends on your school.
At some schools the band is the most successful program going, and that means there is a lot of competition for the top spots.
Initially, the band director decides who goes where, but here is something I really like about the band system. Just because the director sticks you somewhere doesn’t mean you are stuck there.
I played trumpet in high school, and we had a big section of trumpet players who sat all in a row. And what would happen is, one day you would look down the row and see that someone had moved up a few seats.
How did they do it? By schmoozing the band director?
No. It happened through a system of “challenges.” At anytime, one band member could challenge another for his position. Then they would both play something for the band director, and whoever played the best won the challenge and earned the higher position.
My son was a wrestler in high school, and they had a similar system. Let’s say he was the starter in the 140 pound weight bracket, but there was another guy at that weight who wanted his spot. They would have what is called a “wrestle-off,” and the winner got to wrestle in the next tournament.
The thing I like about these systems is that they give people the chance to improve themselves. You can go from a third trumpet to a first trumpet. You can go from a bench warmer to a starter.
Now listen. This is for you. Your fate is not sealed. You don’t have to be stuck in whatever position you are in now. You can advance, and you don’t have to wait for someone to come along and do it for you. Yes, maybe someone put you in this position, but you can challenge for a higher position.
Take David, for example. He started as just a shepherd boy, but one day he saw himself as a warrior defeating mighty Goliath. In fact, I think that was God’s calling for David.
But when David talked to King Saul about it, Saul said no, he could not fight Goliath.
Saul saw David as nothing more than a shepherd boy, so what did David do about it?
Listen to this. He challenged for a higher position. He respectfully challenged Saul’s evaluation, and finally Saul relented and David did defeat Goliath.
But it would not have happened if David had not challenged for the higher position.
This applies in your work situation. Do you think you belong in a higher position at work? Then don’t just wait for someone to notice. Challenge for the higher position.
And remember, it is best for everyone when you are in the position you belong in.
Think of the wrestling team. Is it best for the team if the bench warmer never challenges the starter? No. It’s best for everyone when there are challenges. It raises the level of everyone’s performance, and then you know for sure that the best wrestler is out on the mat. It’s like it says in Proverbs 27:17. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
And yes, I think there is a spiritual element to this. It’s about being all that God has designed you to be.
Listen to First Corinthians 3:5. It says, “…the Lord has assigned to each his task.” The King James says, “…even as the Lord gave to every man…”
I believe that God has given each of us some assigned tasks. So if you have your eyes on a certain task, but your leader doesn’t see it, then within the proper, respectful channels, maybe it’s time to challenge for the higher position.
That’s what David did. At first the leader didn’t see anything in David, but David challenged for the position. He had a clear vision of God’s assigned task.
Now it’s not about challenging the leader. After all, David is the same man who said he would not lift a hand against his master, the Lord’s anointed.
So it’s not about challenging the leader. It’s about challenging for the higher position, the position you think God is calling you to. It’s about getting to the place you are supposed to be so you can complete your assigned task.
So do you picture yourself in a better position than you are currently in? Is it a better place to carry out God’s assigned task for your life?
Then consider this today.
Consider taking the bull by the horns and challenging for the higher position.
Comments?
E-mail me: dougapple@wave94.com.
May God bless you today! With Apples of Gold…I’m Doug Apple.
© 2009 The Arrow’s Tip
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(Proverbs 25:11 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”)
Why “The Arrow’s Tip”? Each morning, after diligently seeking the Lord, I write Apples of Gold. Then before I release it to the public I pray one final prayer, “Lord, send forth your arrows.” I envision Apples of Gold as arrows, tips dipped in the river of the water of life that flows from the throne of God (Rev. 22:1), sailing toward the hearts and minds of men and women around the world.
Doug Apple
General Manager - Wave 94
Christian Radio for Tallahassee
PO Box 4105
Tallahassee, FL 32315
(850) 926-8000
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