Shaming of theTrue 

A fresh and unique blending of two traditionally disconnected topics---spirituality and sports. Follow Sly Young as he attempts to accomplish the feat of playing professionally in the three major sports using positive character traits taught through scripture.

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10-20-10

                                                                           Quick- Not Hurried

JAMES 1:19-(New Living Translation)-My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen JOHN 9:4-All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me.

It is very easy to confuse two very similar traits when determining the urgency of an action or reaction. The two terms are quick or being quick-witted as opposed to being in a hurry. When a person is quick-witted they are usually able to process a situation and make an informed decision and quickly carry out whatever is needed. The first scripture is a very important key to informed communication.

Listening in and of itself is a valuable character trait. It requires focus and respect for whatever the speaker is saying. What is meant by quick to listen is that if you are quick to listen you are able to remain slow to speak. A person who practices this trait is blessed with the ability to not respond angrily to a situation.

There are many young folks who are quick to say “I have an anger problems”, or “I have trouble with anger management”. We are speaking of very young children who have been taught to believe that a reasonable response to a situation is to get angry. They believe that the next step is then to quote one of the preceding excuses. This is not to belittle an individual who has been diagnosed to have anger issues. I am talking about the 5 year old who says, “I have anger problems just like my Mom, Dad, Brother”, or any other person they are modeling and trying to justify an improper response to something.

Being quick to listen will slow down an angry reaction most times. Especially if you are trained to process what you hear and then seek a calmer retort. The reaction is the key when striving to be quick-witted. This will allow you to take in the information and decide what the best way to respond is. The alternative would be to hurriedly make a decision and not be at your best when carrying out the task.

Quick-witted individuals are much more capable of making better decisions. This then leads to a few other important traits like initiative, which is recognizing what needs to be done before someone asks. Discernment, which is understanding the sometimes are deeper reasons why things happen. Discretion or recognizing and avoiding words, actions and attitudes that brings undesirable results. Older folks call this simply not being “uncouth”. And last but certainly not the least, obedience, which is the center of the second scripture. A person should quickly and cheerfully carry out the directions of those responsible for them.

The holy sentiment is that obedience is better than sacrifice. This is one of those frequently quoted sayings that seems simple but is not easily followed. Too many times we don’t adhere to both aspects of obedience. First you have the cheerful part of completing the task, and then you are expected to obey quickly.

Young and old people alike have problems with these two functions. How many times have you seen a person who believes they are obeying a directive but choose to do it on their timetable? Also think back to the individual who is murmuring and complaining every step of the way as they complete the task. In neither example is this true obedience. True obedience comes with the development of quick-witted actions and reactions. It does not include hurrying to make a decision or responding to something that is said in a hasty manner.

In sports the saying is “Be quick, but not in a hurry”. Or “You need to think fast on your feet”.  If an athlete can accomplish just these two things he will enhance his or her ability to perform. Most skills, if they can be executed quickly will give a person an advantage. On the other hand, mistakes generally take place if the attempted skill is done in a hurry.

Let’s review our sequence that produces quick-witted individuals. It starts with the focus required to be quick to listen and slow to speak. The next step is to quickly and cheerfully carry out the action or reaction decided on once the information has been processed. As you strive to be a quick-witted person, just remember Psalm 119:60, I will be quick, without lingering, to obey God’s commands (NLT).

                                                                                                     Fred Tudor         

Fred Tudor is a twenty-two year employee of the Cincinnati Public Schools as a Health and Physical Education teacher. He has been coaching at the high school level in Greater Cincinnati since graduating from Wittenberg University in 1979. His coaching stints includes stops at his alma mater Walnut Hills High School, Hughes Center High School, and from 1990 until present coaches at Wyoming High School. His church home is Cincinnati Bibleway Church in Madisonville, Apostles James and Grace Blue Pastors. Contact Information: 513.328.2767 E-Mail: Info@CincySportsWorld.com