Never Tell People What You Do | C.S Lewis 2024

why is it that the most remarkable Transformations often happen quietly the sun rises without noise yet it lights up the world a seed buried in darkness silently grows Roots preparing to burst forth with life success too works best when it's silent building strength and momentum before revealing itself to the world in today's culture of oversharing we're tempted to announce every step we take it feels good to say I'm starting a business or this year I'm finally writing that book but here's the catch talking about your plans can trick your mind into feeling like progress has

already been made as CS Lewis wisely said never mistake motion for Action every word spoken about a goal can siphon off the energy needed to achieve it when we choose to move quietly we protect our focus and Shield our dreams from doubt distractions and even Envy silence creates the space where growth can flourish unpressured by outside expectations today we'll explore why keeping your plans to yourself isn't about secrecy it's about strategy against the schemes of the enemy because let's get real not everyone wants to see you succeed so stay with us until the end and

you'll discover how how silence builds Focus while talking drains momentum and weakens your dreams let's begin when we share our plans too soon we risk exposing them to criticism they aren't ready to withstand as CS Lewis wisely said don't let the noise of others opinions drown out your inner voice premature exposure is an invitation for noise and that noise can derail even the most promising Vision consider Joseph in Genesis 37: 5 to 11 God gave him dreams of greatness but in his youthful enthusiasm he shared them too openly instead of support he faced Envy betrayal

and slavery Joseph's Story shows us that not everyone will celebrate the dreams God places in our hearts some May misund understand others May doubt and still Others May actively oppose them criticism is often the first hurdle when we announce our plans prematurely we open the door to doubts that may not have existed before people may question your capabilities your motives or even the validity of your vision those doubts even if spoken casually can take root and weaken your resolve distraction is just as dangerous sharing too much invites a flood of opinions advice and unsolicited suggestions

these can feel helpful at first but too many voices can pull you in conflicting directions instead of focusing on your god-given task you find yourself trying to please everyone and end up losing sight of your original purpose Nehemiah offers a powerful example of discretion when God placed the vision of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls in his heart he didn't rush to share it instead he waited prayed and prepared until the time was right Nehemiah 2:12 and then there's discouragement the quiet Thief not everyone will see your vision the way you do some may envy your ambition dismiss

your ideas or even subtly undermine your confidence Jesus himself cautioned against casting pearls before wine Matthew 7:6 a reminder that not everyone is capable of valuing what is precious number two talking drains energy and momentum momentum is one of the most precious forces we have when pursuing a Dream It's the forward motion that turns small consistent actions into extraordinary results but here's the danger the moment we start talking too much about our plans we risk draining the very energy needed to make them a reality as CS Lewis puts it talk depletes us talking and doing

fight for the same resources every word we spend explaining our intentions chips away at the fuel we need to act it's like a balloon losing air not all at once but steadily until there's nothing left this is the Trap of the illusion of progress you share a goal I'm starting a new fitness routine and the people around you cheer that's amazing the Applause feels like an accomplishment but it's not the affirmation creates a false sense of success reducing the urgency to take action talking replaces doing and before you know it momentum Fades biblical wisdom reminds

us of this Proverbs 14:23 says all hard work brings a profit but mere talk leads only to Poverty success requires action not commentary nemiah demonstrated this beautifully before rebuilding Jerusalem's walls he quietly assessed the task refusing to announce his plans prematurely Nehemiah 2: 11-16 by staying focused on the work he protected his momentum and delivered remarkable results write in the comments God will protect me momentum also thrives in silence because it creates Rhythm imagine an athlete training for a marathon they don't stop to explain every stride they keep running day after day building strength and

stamina talking disrupts this Rhythm it shifts Focus From the work to the perception of the work scattering energy and breaking the flow of progress consider two friends one spends 30 minutes every morning planting seeds in their Garden quietly tending to the soil the other talks endlessly about the garden they'll create someday the colors the flowers the size months later one Garden flourishes the other remains a dream this is the difference between preserving momentum and squandering it on words how do we protect momentum by guarding our Focus when you resist the urge to share every detail

of your plans you create space for consistent deliberate action write your goals down instead of proclaiming them take small steps daily and let your results be your announcement success doesn't come from Applause it comes from the discipline of consistent effort Jesus modeled this in Mark 1: 35-39 After Time in prayer he acted he didn't explain his plans to everyone he moved with purpose and let his work speak for itself talking and doing draw far from the same well protect your momentum by pouring your energy into the actions that matter number three let results speak louder

than words far too often we want the recognition before the work is done we drop hints about our plans looking for validation or approval but the problem with words is that they have a short lifespan people may listen but without action those words are quickly forgotten results however linger they have a substance that words cannot match Jesus modeled this principle throughout his ministry in John 10:25 he said the works I do in my father's name testify about me his miracles teachings and sacrificial love were his testimony not long explanations or constant Declarations of his intentions

his actions spoke and the impact changed the world when you let your results speak for themselves you tap into an undeniable strength a completed work a business launched a book written a goal achieved needs no explanation it stands on its own Merit a testament to your focus and perseverance the beauty of letting results lead the way is that it frees you from the pressure of constant justification when you share your plans prematurely you invite expectations people start watching questioning and even judging your progress but when you quietly work in the background you're free to focus

entirely on the task at hand consider the example of the farmer from the transcript While others were busy talking he was working in silence learning new techniques and applying them to his Fields when Harvest Time came his results were undeniable people didn't need an explanation they could see the evidence of his effort in the abundance of his crops contrast this with the person who spends their time announcing every step of the process the more they talk the higher the expectations they set but if those expectations aren't met their credibility takes a hit silence on the

other hand protects you from these pitfalls it allows you to fail quietly learn from mistakes and refine your work until it's ready to shine how do we apply this first prioritize the work over the announcement write the book before you promote it build the business before you Market it second understand that surprise carries weight when you reveal something complete and unexpected the impact is far greater than if you'd been talking about it the whole time letting results speak louder than words isn't about hiding it's about being strategic as you focus on delivering results your actions

will naturally command respect and admiration words are fleeting but results those stand the test of time number four the wisdom of discretion discretion isn't secrecy it's wisdom it's about understanding that not everyone deserves a front row seat to your journey as CS Lewis wisely said waste no more time arguing about what a good Christian should be be one in other words Focus Less on talking and more on becoming true growth happens in The Quiet Moments away from the noise of opinions distractions and external pressures in Matthew 7:6 Jesus warns us do not give dogs what

is sacred do not throw your pearls to pigs this isn't about withholding good things but about being selective with what's precious your dreams are pearls and not everyone is equipped to value or support them sharing them too freely invites criticism Envy or misunderstanding ing that can derail even the best intentions discretion allows you to build without unnecessary interference when you share prematurely you invite voices that may not align with God's vision for your life well-meaning friends might offer conflicting advice pulling you in too many directions others driven by Envy or fear might discourage you outright

planting seeds of doubt even the most casual remark can echo in your mind eroding your confidence consider Nehemiah as he prepared to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem when God placed the vision in his heart he didn't broadcast it immediately instead he moved in silence assessing the work and praying for guidance Nehemiah 2 verses 12- 16 nehemiah's discretion wasn't about secrecy it was about protecting the work until it was strong enough to stand discretion also preserves focus when you guard your plans you reduce the noise around you you're not answering questions defending your choices or explaining

your vision to Skeptics instead you're channeling all your energy into the work itself like an Archer drawing a bow you aim with Precision free from distractions that could throw you off Target when the time comes to share your results will carry far more weight than your words ever could think of a sculpture unveiling a finished statue the silence during its creation wasn't emptiness it was preparation and when the curtain is pulled back the world sees the Masterpiece not the process how do we practice discretion first recognize the value of your dreams treat them as sacred

sharing only with those who will nurture them second trust God's timing there's a season for every purpose and waiting doesn't mean wasting finally build quietly focus on the work not the Applause number five success thrives in quiet Focus think of a Potter shaping clay each movement is deliberate purposeful and undistracted there's no need for Applause during the process the beauty emerges only when the work is finished success like that Masterpiece thrives in quiet Focus away from the noise and demands for attention one of the greatest challenges to achieving success is the constant pull to share

our progress seek validation or respond to the opinions of others but as CS Lewis wisely said purity of heart is to will one thing thing when our focus is divided our energy is scattered but when we guard our dreams with intentional Focus we allow them to grow into something extraordinary quiet Focus creates an environment where your work can flourish without interference it's like building a greenhouse for your vision shielding it from the storms of distraction and criticism every time you explain your plans you risk losing the momentum that that comes from consistent focused effort talking

shifts your energy from doing to justifying from action to commentary Jesus himself modeled this principle he often withdrew to quiet places to pray and prepare Luke 5:116 his ministry was marked by intentional Focus he didn't seek validation through words but let his actions reveal his purpose his quiet resolve empowered him to fulfill his mission undeterred by public opinion or opposition the world around us is full of noise social media encourages constant updates and conversations often drift towards comparison or competition but silence is where real progress happens like an artist in their Studio a scientist in

their lab or a gardener tending hidden Roots meaningful work requires a measure me of solitude and focus consider the difference between a river and a flood a flood spreads chaotically damaging everything in its path while a river flows with purpose cutting through Rock and carving valleys the focused river is what builds success a steady stream of effort directed toward a single goal quiet Focus transforms potential into results when you Embrace quiet Focus you give yourself the freedom to fail learn and grow without the added pressure of external expectations sharing too early puts you under a

spotlight and every misstep can feel magnified but in silence you have the space to experiment and refine your ideas until they're ready for the world to see how do we cultivate quiet Focus start by setting boundaries around your time and energy protect the sacred hours when you're most productive resist the urge to share your progress until it's mature enough to stand on its own finally keep your vision in prayer trusting God to guide and strengthen your efforts success isn't built on Applause or updates it's forged in the quiet steady rhythm of purposeful work when you

focus on the process instead of the spotlight you'll find that success doesn't need to be loud it only needs to be real success doesn't need a microphone it needs Focus faith and intentional effort like a seed growing in the darkness of soil or an artist perfecting their craft in solitude your dreams require quiet care and patience to flourish by protecting your plans maintaining momentum through action letting your results speak louder than words and practicing discretion you allow your vision to grow into its fullest potential CS Lewis said it beautifully humility is not thinking less of

yourself but thinking of yourself less quiet work isn't about hiding it's about focusing Less on validation and more on the purpose God has placed in your heart when you move in silence you give God room to work and your effort space to grow without the weight of external noise Proverbs 16:3 reminds us commit to the Lord whatever you do and He will establish your plans trust him in the quiet knowing that the work you're doing today will speak volumes tomorrow thank you for sticking with us until the end if it blessed you share it with

someone who needs encouragement to embrace the quiet path to success God bless you as you walk boldly in his purpose