Take the Lazy Way

Want to really make a difference? Multipliers suggests that you take the lazy way:

I’ve noticed that the more important something is, the more likely a lazy man’s approach will work best. When something is based on sound design, it doesn’t need to be forced. It just needs the right amount of effort applied in exactly the right place or in the right way. Suppose you are repairing an appliance at home, and you need to open a casing by loosening a six-sided hex screw. You grab a pair of pliers from the drawer, and with the pliers gripping two sides of the nut, you begin twisting. You pull, you turn, but you can’t get a good grip. You try the pliers on two different sides, hoping it will be easier. You break a sweat trying to loosen this nut, but you can’t get it to budge. Your tool-savvy roommate sees your futile effort, and hands you a hex nut ratchet. This specially designed tool encases the nut and provides preset torque and leverage. You place this tool around the nut, and with virtually no effort, the nut turns and loosens.

Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone SmarterBy Liz Wiseman

I can’t help but think about how this applies to our relationship with God, and to ministry. The harder we try with what we’ve got, the more we come up short. The more we rely on what God has provided, the more we find that things work as they’re supposed to.

I can relate to trying to turn the nut of ministry on my own. It hasn’t worked so well. I can relate to those times I’ve used the tools God has provided. I wouldn’t call it lazy, but it’s worked much better. There’s really no comparison.