On Nov. 28, a very special man went home to be with his Lord. I call him veryspecial because his wit and passion have indelibly made their mark on the canvases of our lives. Zig Ziglar, “America’s Motivator,” was a unique Christian man who was one of the most popular speakers in business circles until declining health caused him to stay closer to home.
Some of his quotables or Ziglar-isms worth repeating are:
• If you treat your wife like a thoroughbred, you’ll never end up with a nag.
• You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.
• If you learn from defeat, you haven’t really lost.
• Money won’t make you happy … but everybody wants to find out for themselves.
• A goal properly set is halfway reached.
• It’s not what you got, it’s what you use that makes a difference.
• If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you will find them everywhere.
• It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action and discipline that enabled us to follow through.
• Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.
• Building a better you is the first step to building a better America.
As you might expect, this extraordinary man was very busy. He was in high demand by corporate America. But he had an unusual practice. He did his best to book his mealtimes to meet face-to-face with people who were lost and without Christ. He wanted to converse with them about their purpose in life and their personal relationship with Christ. We lost a hero but God is raising up others behind him – others who will pick up the mantle and engage people in a conversation about the Lord. Who is it that God has planted in your world that you can serve, that you can help become successful by your words, instruction or concern?
We may not have the quick wit and enthusiasm of Zig Ziglar, but we are the person God has planted in the midst of people to encourage them to look up and see the greatness of our mighty God, even in the tough situations of life.