Shining Light on the Solution

While similar maxims may have developed independently and some attribute it to U.S. presidents from Lincoln to Reagan: a Jesuit Priest named Father Strickland probably deserves primary credit for coining this aphorism: “I have observed, throughout life, that a man may do an immense deal of good, if he does not care who gets the credit for it.”

This claim is based on a diary entry dated September 21, 1863 written by Sir Mountstuart E. Grant Duff and multiple attributions thereafter. Duff recorded the quote after an evening spent at the house of the Rev. C.K. Paul where Father Strickland was also a guest. The diary of Duff—who was a Scottish politician and held important administrative posts in India—was published in 1897.

No matter who came up with this maxim, I do appreciate the variation which has been associated with President Harry Truman: “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” However it is expressed, it is a powerful reminder that the key to great accomplishments is not focusing on yourself—and especially not trying to make sure everyone else is focusing on you; but to focus on the task at hand and the resources available to get the job done.

It is tempting to let your personality, your pride, your position, and your particular predilections distract you from seeing the powerful potential for making significant progress when it comes to many of the problems you face. You can fail to see the potential in the people who share the problems with you. You can even begin to believe others are the cause of your difficulties and begin to treat them like enemies. I guess that is the reason I am also fond of another proverb: “Fix the problem, not the blame.”

Where do you focus when you face a challenging situation—when things don’t go the way you think they should? As a believer you have the power to focus your attention on what pleases God—on what is good and right and true. Commit yourself to clearing the distractions and to seeing the power God provides to accomplish great things in partnership with his people.