Preparation: The Key to Success

A friend of mine from Florida, Pat Weinmann, posted the above photo on my Facebook page. The image, which highlights the unseen work behind visible success, has been shared more than 34,000 times and liked by over 9,000 people. It clearly resonated with many viewers.

I appreciate Pat sharing it. And the message is accurate. A successful 30-minute sermon is preceded by hours of research, reading, prayer, and study. In fact, it is often the culmination of years of preparation that results in the presentation.

Like most preachers, I have been asked to preach when visiting a congregation on vacation. I vividly recall once being asked right before the worship began. I sat down and said to Norma Jean, “They asked me to preach this morning.”

Our daughter, Rachél, was sitting between us and asked with some concern, “Dad, what are you going to preach?”

As the first song began, I leaned over and whispered, “I don’t know yet.” Her response was a look of amazement and wonderment. Of course, that sermon was not the result of spur-of-the-moment inspiration, but of prior preparation that could be delivered without notes on a moment’s notice.

In reflecting on the importance of preparation, I’m reminded of a famous quote by Abraham Lincoln: “I will prepare, and some day my chance will come.” The principle of preparation is witnessed in every successful profession and endeavor in life.

It is true in the world of sports. As Alan Armstrong observed, “Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months, and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character.”

Sometimes an athlete or team is called “lucky” when they win. But I prefer the analysis of the legendary former Texas Longhorns football coach, Darrell Royal, who was fond of quoting the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

The same principle applies in business. When you see a successful businessperson, you only see the tip of the iceberg. Their failures, hard work, long hours, and investment of effort, energy, and resources are often forgotten or overshadowed by their success. My friend, Bob Andrews, always encouraged upcoming entrepreneurs with this advice: “Spectacular achievement is always preceded by less spectacular preparation.”

I’m reminded of the story of a woman who attended the concert of a famous pianist. Following the show, she approached the pianist, gushing over his performance and saying, “I would give my life to play the piano like you.” To which the artist simply replied, “I did.”

Preparation is no less critical in Christian living. Faithfulness, spirituality, and Bible knowledge do not happen accidentally.

The apostle Paul advised his young “son in the faith,” Timothy: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

The concept of spiritual preparation is embodied in Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins who went to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise, and five were foolish. The wise were prepared with extra oil for their lamps. The unwise were unprepared when the bridegroom came, and their lamps went out because they had no oil. Jesus’ exhortation was clear: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matt. 25:13).

Spiritual preparation is anchored in regular Bible study, persistent prayer, and weekly worship. Christian maturity is realized through daily development of Christian virtues, growing in the fruit of the Spirit, and applying the wisdom of God while shunning the wisdom of the world (1 Pet. 1:5–10; Gal. 5:22–25; Jas. 3:13–18). Benjamin Franklin’s sage counsel applies equally to Christian living: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

Preparation requires a vision for the future, personal commitment, rigid self-discipline, and a laser-like focus. It is accomplished daily through seemingly small, yet necessary actions that produce long-term results. As H. Jackson Brown wisely noted, “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.”

Always remember, when you see a life well lived—like a good sermon—it is just the tip of the iceberg.

(Editor’s Note: This post originally appeared in January 2016 and is being reblogged this week while I focus on some special sermon preparation. Though written 10 years ago, its message remains timeless.  BTW, these original posts have been edited by Grammarly and ChatGPT. #2016)