Martin Luther was a German priest and professor of theology who initiated the Protestant Reformation in the late 1500s. No matter what your theological beliefs may be; it’s hard not to learn a few things from this remarkable agent of change who lived more than 500 years ago.
Luther was committed, passionate, resolute, and unflappable in his beliefs, but what made him special – what makes him worth studying and understanding – is the fact that he LIVED what he BELIEVED.
Martin Luther’s Impact
He didn’t just talk a big talk. He backed it up. He did something about it.
It has been written that Martin Luther committed himself to praying for three full hours every single day. Unless, of course, he was very busy. When he was busy and overwhelmed and couldn’t seem to find the time or energy to get everything done, he prayed for four hours.
When I first read that, I was blown away. What an amazing example of faith and understanding that “our weakness makes Him stronger.” What a great way to prioritize and humble one’s self – knowing that we need help to make it through what can sometimes seem like a never-ending list of “top priorities.”
But what does that have to do with business? What does it have to do with your day-in and day-out and how you can approach each day?
My hope for my own life and for my family and friends and the company I love is that it can have everything to do with… everything.
More Than Just Our Words
Hearing great stories and studying influential leaders like Luther makes me want to be and become a better, more committed, more competent, effective, efficient, purposeful, responsible, respectful, respectable, and useful believer, father, husband, friend, businessman, co-worker, manager, servant, and creative person.
Another word for reformation is renewal. It’s about change and taking a step toward what’s next with passion and purpose.
A “reformation” can’t happen by simply talking about change or writing about it in a blog. We can’t use just our words to try to make our lives more meaningful and our businesses more successful, purposeful, and influential. A renewal comes when ideas become ideals and dreams become reality. And that doesn’t happen without passion and commitment.
What about you? Are you walking the talk and putting into practice the things you “preach”? Are you living what you believe this week?