26 Quotes by Gordon MacDonald

When the Christian’s mind becomes dull, he can fall prey to the propaganda of a non-Christian scheme of things, led by people who have not neglected their thinking powers – and have simply outthought us.

Although he wasn’t trying to make a uniquely Christian point, I nevertheless find the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson quite provocative. “It is easy in the world,” he wrote, “to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.

When money is limited, one budgets. And when time is in limited supply, the same principle holds. The disorganized person must have a budgeting perspective. And that means determining the difference between the fixed – what one must do – and the discretionary – what one would like to do.

People who would never touch a drop of alcohol can be among the most serious work addicts.

We will know that we have learned this significant principle when we come to the point at which the development and maintenance of a strong inner world becomes the most important single function of our existences.

Don’t underestimate the significance of this principle. Today in our media-fashioned world many good and talented leaders face the constant temptation to begin believing the text of their own publicity releases. And if they do, a messianic fantasy gradually infects their personalities and leadership styles. Forgetting who they are not, they begin to make dangerous assumptions about who they are.

Incidentally, what most often interrupts my own prayers is not great distractions but tiny ones – things one will have to do or avoid in the course of the next hour.4.

When I get home after a long day, I go to the chapel and pray. I say to the Lord, “There it is for today; things are finished. Now let’s be serious, is this diocese mine or yours?” The Lord says, “What do you think?” I answer, “I think it’s yours.” “That is true,” the Lord says, “it is mine.” And so I say, “Listen, Lord, it is your turn to take responsibility for and direct the diocese. I’m going now to sleep.”1.