Motivational speaker Zig Ziglar illustrates the difference between activity and accomplishment through the processionary caterpillar. These caterpillars get their name from their habit of always following the caterpillar in front of them. They look like cars in a freight train going through the grass. But this trait can be fatal . If processionary caterpillars are placed on the brim of a flower pot so that each follows the other in a circle, they will follow one another round and round until they die of starvation and exhaustion even if the flower pot contains fresh green pine needles which are a delicacy to the processionary caterpillar.
That’s a picture of activity without accomplishment. Have you ever felt like that caterpillar at the end of your day? You ran circles, but never got your pine needles. Our nature is to substitute activity for accomplishment. Take a moment right now and ask God what he wants you to ACCOMPLISH today. Then as much as possible, reject any ACTIVITY that does not move you toward that accomplishment. Do that, and you can go to bed tonight having redeemed the time.
Rick Grubbs is best known as the host of “Redeeming the Time,” a one-minute radio program featured on hundreds of radio outlets around the world. He has spoken thousands of times on Biblical time management in all 50 states and 26 other countries. He is the author of the book “Morning Momentum: God’s plan for launching an unstoppable day”. He and his wife Carrie live in Salisbury NC with several of their 12 children.
