In 1966 a group of researchers published a study of Japanese mothers and mothers in Minneapolis. The mothers were asked to rank the most important things a child needs to succeed academically. The answers tell a lot about the difference between our two cultures today.
The mothers in Minneapolis chose “ability.” The mothers in Japan said “effort.”
Effort more than ability is something we should seek after and embrace. There have been many able people along life’s road who have failed miserably. The truly successful were those who used the ability they had but gave it their all. Ability, which is exalted above measure in America, is not what it is cracked up to be. Not that it doesn’t have merit. But no matter what a person’s ability what really makes them a success is the amount of effort they invest.
Thomas Edison, the famous inventor, after repeatedly told what a genius he was, said that genius is only 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.
This concept is born out in Scripture through Ecclesiastes 9:10. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.” Another confirmation comes from Proverbs 18:9. “He who is slothful in his work Is brother to him who Is a great destroyer.” And from Colossians 3:23; “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”
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