Addition/Subtraction

Written by cycleguy on April 5th, 2011

Yesterday afternoon I realized I needed to replace my Moleskine soon.  So I did what many others would do: I went back and read some of the pages.  I must admit…I amaze myself that I was so insightful.  😉  Seriously, it was an interesting journey back in time.   I say all that as a preface to this:  I found something I wrote early on in my Moleskine journey (and being such a good journalist I wrote down the date…NOT).  Here is what I wrote:

EVERY.  DAY.  I.  DO.  SOMETHING.  THAT.  EITHER.  ADDS.  TO.  OR.  SUBTRACTS.  FROM.  ANOTHER.  PERSON.

I know…nothing earth-shattering or revelatory.  My mind very seldom does come up with Bongo ideas that hit the ball out of the park.  But in its simplicity is truth.  What I would like to ask you to do for a moment is to stop and think it through.  Here are some examples I had written down:

When I lie…I steal truth.

When I plagiarize…I steal credit.

When I murder…I steal life.

There is an interesting exchange in Job’s “conversations” with his friends-this one in response to Zophar.  In 21:34 Job asks Zophar, “How then will you comfort me with empty nothings?  There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood.”   The highlighted words ought to draw your attention…you get the point, I am sure.

WHAT IS IT THAT I AM GIVING/SHARING WITH OTHERS?  IS IT ANYTHING OF SUBSTANCE?  IS IT ANYTHING WORTHWHILE?

I have to admit it stopped me in my tracks as I ran that through my head.  Am I offering people empty nothings?  I am not just speaking as a pastor here who stands before people on a Sunday morning.   I am talking about a man who comes in contact with people every day at the bank, at the Quik Shop, the Y, the grocery store, the doctor’s office, etc.  What am I giving or sharing with people that counts for eternity?

My mind is spinning right now as I write this.  I feel somewhat “undone.”   How does it make you feel as you read this?  As you look at your daily walk,  can you say that you add to or subtract from peoples’ lives?  Do you give them empty nothings or something to chew on?  How can you change? One more: can you add to my list of “lie…steal” list?  I would like to hear from you if you care to share your thoughts.

 

50 Comments so far ↓

  1. When I sin…I birth death.

    (A little heavy-handed, but knowing that sin leads to death, I thought it was appropriate.)

    I want to give people something to chew on. I’m the fella that, when someone flowers me with their “Oh I love Jesus so much!” statements, I stand by asking, “But why? Why do you say you love Jesus? Can you explain it to me? Can you rightly divine it?”

    This offends and disarms folks, but I believe it is necessary. For too long have we, as a Church, been accustomed to believing the newest and freshest “moves of The Spirit” without stopping to hold them against The Scriptures.

    My two cents.

    • cycleguy says:

      There are all kinds of people in this world (as you know). Some are sharpeners. Some a knives. Some are sandpaper. Some are butter. Each finds his niche. You have found yours donald and my life is richer because of your challenges. Thanks for being what God intended you to be.

  2. lindaM says:

    Hi Bill,
    I think that I do both. There are times when the conversation leads to a place where I can insert and speak to someone about a principle or truth of God. At other times I get foolish in my conversation and end up talking ’empty nothings’.
    I find that in my weaker times and weaker days I start speaking nonsense.

    This morning I went a couple of doors down from my house and hugged the little girl playing outside on the step. She likes to hug me too. Her mother leaves the front door open so that she is aware of who is talking to her daughter.

    The young child added to my life today, and I hope I added into hers.

    Our weather is getting warmer, about 7 to 10 degrees celcius above zero. Thank you Jesus for spring!! The snow is melting fast in these temperatures. I’m starting to see glimpses of the ground again in my yard!

    I pray that God helps me to speak and conduct myself in ways that wittness for Him and his righteousness and impact other people’s lives. Have a good day Bill, talk to you later.

  3. dustin says:

    When you think about addition/subtraction, and line that up with what we “do for people”, it makes things that much more meaningful, impactful and lasting. Is this decision affecting their being? Their attitude? Their view of God?
    Good challenge today, Bill!

  4. Toby says:

    My ability to stop, think and formulate a response to your posts may be few, but your words consistently ADD to my life.
    Just sayin…. 🙂
    Thanks for that!

  5. Dan Black says:

    The statement you wrote is powerful!!! Every day we have a choice to add value or take it away from other people. I know this is some times hard for me to do. I want to do wrong but know where that leads. So I do my best and make it a point to add value to others while having a close relationship with God.

    Thank you for sharing. This is a topic I know will be on my mind today.

    • cycleguy says:

      Things take on a different perspective when we are having a close relationship with God, that’s for sure. Thanks Dan.

  6. Tony Alicea says:

    When I encourage…I add confidence.
    When I love…I add value.
    When I am humble…I add strength.

  7. Jon says:

    I have to be honest. I don’t feel that I add substance with many conversations that I have. More often than not, it usually is the expected, commonplace dialogue versus meaningful conversations. I want to add more into people’s lives. Thanks for this reminder.

    As for your list:

    When I ignore….I steal acknowledgement

    • cycleguy says:

      At the risk of being “snooty” I would tend to disagree Jon. Your blog is good and I suspect if you looked back, you would probably find you have added value to someone’s life and didn’t even know it. 😉 Your addition is point. Thanks for coming by.

      • Jon says:

        Ha Bill thanks 🙂 I guess this relates to your last post if that makes sense. Thank you for your prayers. Much much appreciated.

  8. Larry Hughes says:

    Here is my take:

    I would have to imagine that I add and subtract to peoples lives. In my position of operating two parks here in Cincinnati, I come across people from all walks of life and economic status.

    Some times I have to come down hard on some and others I encourage. However, I always attempt to be as Jesus would do by giving grace, hope and kindness to all that I come in contact with.

    There are times I fail and times I do succeed. Some times I am taken advantage of but I forgive.

    When some one comes into my office seeking faith guidance, I try to find the answer for them. When some one comes into my office to complain, I try to seek resolutions.

    But most of all I put my self in their position so that I can help them and show them love and respect.

  9. Larry Hughes says:

    Bill;

    Here is something that happened to me today. A fellow employee that I have been helping in his quest for salvation told me a story about how he came to possess a cross mysteriously one night. If you will E-mail me I will tell you the complete story.

  10. Joseph says:

    First time stopping by. Great post! It can definitely be a challenge sometimes to add value to others lives. But I believe if we consciously make it a point to add value to others each and everyday over time it will be second nature.

    Someone may have said this but here it is:

    When I ignore God, I miss out on blessings.

    • cycleguy says:

      Thanks for visiting Joseph. Always good to see new people. I see you have a blog. Will check it out as well. Adding value daily is our challenge and hopefully it will become like second nature. Thanks for the add on as well. Again, thanks for coming by.

  11. When I forgive, I add joy (for me and them).

    I hope I do far more adding than subtracting.

    • cycleguy says:

      I like your add on Matt. Just from blogging I have this sneaking suspicion you add a lot of value to others. Thanks for coming by.

  12. Jason says:

    That’s where I’ve been struggling most with God’s recent rejection of me in ministry. How do I reconcile doing things like a job that doesn’t add value to the Kingdom? How do I define Him as being my all if I’m doing things that don’t benefit Him?

    • cycleguy says:

      i stated on your blog Jason that I don’t think God rejected you…just what you thought you wanted to do. but I also don’t think that there is anything you/I do (short of a job that involves outright sin) that can’t add value. When I was unemployed at a church I worked at a pizza place. It was a new experience for me but I learned that I added value to people’s lives. I go to the Scripture that says, “Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” I pray for you and your situation. thanks for being honest Jason. Does anyone else have something they would like to add?

  13. Mercy says:

    Bill,

    I think you’ve added and still add value to my life. Reading your blog everyday adds something to my life. As for me, I’ve subtracted more, than I’ve added to people’s life.I think I need to work on that.

    When I discourage… I steal achievement.

    Thanks for sharing your mind.

    Love,
    Mercy.

    • cycleguy says:

      I am honored Mercy by your words. Thanks so much for placing your trust in me to add value to your life. I hope I will continue adding value to your life. Thanks for being a part of this community.

  14. Jo says:

    Working at the license branch I sometimes do not feel like I am adding anything positive to my customers. When I “whine” I steal the joy God offers up to me every day.

  15. Jim F says:

    I had heard that statement before and as soon as I read it I went back in my mind to hearing John Maxwell do a whole talk on are you adding too someone’s life each day or are you taking away from someone’s life each day. It is honestly one of the best talks I have ever heard from him. We are faced with that question everyplace we go as you share. I would pray that I add too people.

    Bill – I can honestly say that you do add value to my life though the posts, comments, prayers, emails,and encouragement you have been to me and my family through the years. So Thank You!

    • cycleguy says:

      I wrote that in my Moleskine but I can promise you I didn’t hear it from Maxwell. 😉 I do wish I had put down whom I heard it from though. Thanks Jim for your kind words. It never ceases to amaze me how God has brought people into my life through this blog-some come and go-but some stay (like you) that have truly added value to me. (And acts like a long-lost brother at the same time). I honestly appreciate the value you have added to me.

  16. Stan says:

    Thanks for the challenge, Bill. I think I’ll post that on my white board for a week or so, as a reminder to add to people’s lives on a daily basis. Thanks for writing!

  17. I stood yesterday and watched my son and his Little League team play in their new uniforms. Then I went to another field and watched two more teams. And there was my daughter, whose game I wasn’t able to watch, in her Yankees hat and uniform, with her best friend. I didn’t see anybody that weighs 60 pounds wearing an adult Large t-shirt.

    And it made some of the struggles of the spring worthwhile. EVERY ONE of about 400 kids have passed through my spreadsheets. Nearly all of them are wearing uniforms that the sizes were transposed from one sheet into those spreadsheets by ME. I’m sure there are some mistakes, but to know that I played a pretty big part in getting those kids to look so good gave me a major lift. Most of those parents and kids don’t know my name and don’t know the late nights I spent helping get Little League organized so that they could play this year, but it was still a chilling moment for me to see it all actually HAPPENING.

    It seems there’s nothing spiritual or Christlike about that until we remember what He said about “unto the least of these.” There’s a lot of politics, some fighting, and many disagreements involved in Little League, and it can easily seem like a waste of time.

    Then you see a 7 year old running like the wind to get to home plate while thirty or forty parents scream “GOGOGOGOGOGOGO” at the top of their lungs, and it takes on a whole different meaning.

    Is God happy with my spring? At those moments, I’m convinced He is absolutely beaming.

    Does this have anything at all to do with your post? 🙂

    • cycleguy says:

      Bernard, my friend, you hit the ball out of the park with your comment. It absolutely has everything to do with my post. I remember the guy from Chariots of Fire saying, “God made me fast and when i run I feel His pleasure.” You felt His pleasure. AND THAT IS GOOD! I’m loving the good “feelings” from your comment- for you, the kids, and even myself. Thanks.

  18. Tom Raines says:

    Great reminder. Do I slow down enough to even see the rose, much less smell it. In my jogging I have come to find that if I am running too hard so that all I hear and feel is my own breath, I am running to fast. As I slow my pace I regain my conversation with the Spirit…hmmm maybe I need to Go at God’s pace and not the pace I too often attempt. Thanks for making me slow to see if I even noticed anyone else at Walmart. Probably walked right by a rose…

  19. Greta challenge bro’…let’s be “adders” by the way we love people!

  20. Desert Jim says:

    “Empty nothings…” – Made me think of Facebook.

    I think many people (me included) need to subtract things from our lives so we can find the time to add to others lives.

    For example, we are so busy that when someone does something stupid in traffic, which happens daily to me in Dallas, it’s tough to shake it off, instead we want to be a jerk back to them.

    Or, we are so busy in the grocery store that when we see someone that we know, we sometimes turn the cart around and go the other way before they see us because we don’t have time to talk to them and they probably don’t have time to talk to me either(I know I’m not the only one that has done that).

    So, When I’m too busy … I steal love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control.

    Good post Bill!

    • cycleguy says:

      Hey DJ! Always good to hear from you. You add some great daily illustrations to your comment. However, leave me out of calling anyone a jerk. Oh yeah, that was me when someone pulled out in front of me at a light. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to come by and for adding your take with that last sentence.

  21. Adam says:

    great stuff Bill. That is the same thing I was trying to get across on my blog. Thanks for sharing! Loved it!

    • cycleguy says:

      I am directing people to your blog with my latest post Adam. I sure hope people read it. It is soooo good. Thanks for coming by.

  22. Paula Kiger says:

    Bill, it is nice to “meet” a fellow LeadershipFreak and DailyMiler! This post presents a great way to look at our choices.