10/9/2011 - by Chuck Monan, Preaching Minister

All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence;
Then success is sure.
~ Mark Twain

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase motivational speaker? For many it brings to mind the late Chris Farley’s character on Saturday Night Live who introduced himself: “Alright, how’s everybody?  Good! Good! Good!  My name is Matt Foley, and I am a Motivational Speaker!  Now, let’s get started by me giving you a little bit of a scenario of what my life is all about!  I am 35 years old ... I am divorced ... and I live in a van down by the river!”

If you have ever seen this, you are smiling right now.

On August 30, I ventured down to Verizon Arena with over 15,000 others for the Get Motivated! Business Seminar.  A lineup of famous speakers was assembled to assist the audience in the quest of learning, getting better, becoming more motivated, gaining that competitive edge ....

Blah x 3.

With an aversion to being sold by hyper-positive salesman, I was a little wary.  But former First Lady Laura Bush gave a nice, warm speech touching on the themes of family, patriotism and giving your best.  Next was Hall of Fame football coach Lou Holtz who offered home-spun advice mixed with his trademark one-liners.    You know what?  It was pretty good, and worth hearing.  I could’ve done without the next presenter, some guy who went into pain-staking detail about how to get rich by playing the stock market (I have two kids in college; what am I going to invest with, my good looks?).

But I digress.

The seminar left a few impressions:

• People instinctively gravitate toward those who have accomplished something.  All of those on the program are famous for doing or being something, regardless of what it is.  Fame is its own cachet.
• People enjoy finding common ground and shared experiences so we can feel a sense of brotherhood and esprit de corps.  Bush’s reminisces about 9/11 elicited a lot of nods of assent, and the distance between us was reduced.
• People are inspired by stories of others who have overcome obstacles and difficulties on their life’s journey.  As Holtz reminded, all of us have problems.  He added:  “90% of people don’t care about your problems ... and the other 10% are glad you have them.”  The key to overcoming is a determined, never-say-die attitude. 
• People in Arkansas will call the Hogs at virtually any and every event.  When Holtz was introduced, the crowd cheered.  When he walked out to the strains of the Notre Dame Victory March, they booed.  No matter; they drowned out the rest of the song with an impromptu Hog call.  Sooie.

Do you ever feel the need for a little encouragement?  Do you sometimes need an extra dose of motivation?  T.S. Eliot writes, “Success is relative: It is what we can make of the mess we have made of things.”

As Christians, it is about what Christ can make of the mess we have made of things.  That should be the most encouraging, motivating thought of all.