Yes, there was a movie by this title released in 1988. The movie was about a high school teacher dealing with rough students. The teacher’s boss pushed him hard to get control of his students so they could score well on a state math exam. He was challenged to Stand and Deliver.
That phrase was originally the cry of the highwayman who wanted his victims to produce the goods from their pockets or purse. Here are a couple of lines uncovered on the internet which uses this phrase:
Stand and deliver, your money or your life!
As I was going over the far famed Kerry mountains
I met with Captain Farrell and his money he was counting.
I first produced my pistol, and then produced my rapier.
Said stand and deliver, or the devil he may take ye life!
There are a couple of thoughts that come to my mind when I think of this phrase as it relates to your life.
1. When it comes to life you have a choice to make. You can either Stand and Deliver or sit and fail. This truth partly answers the question, “Why do some people have terrific lives and others live miserable lives?” Right away you might respond that the successful people have had all the breaks: an inheritance, talent, born into an affluent family, and the list goes on.
But here’s the reality. Regardless of the breaks we receive in life it all hinges on whether or not we will choose to Stand and Deliver. John Maxwell is right: “Most people don’t live their lives, they accept their lives.”
Your life will take a dramatic turn for the better when you firmly decide that you will Stand and Deliver. And that means you are going to live proactively. You are going to make the very most of your life.
2. There are always voices that demand you hand over your life to them. This is YOUR life. It belongs to YOU. Refuse to hand over your life to chance, others, the Devil, or even your own whims.
All of us hear the collective voice of the Sirens of Homer’s Odyssey. These enchanting voices so captivated sailors passing by the island that they went to near the shore and shipwrecked. There are constant voices calling you to get off course, drawing you closer and closer to danger. And if you are not careful you will eventually shipwreck your life. You and I have seen this happen again and again.
Years ago, as a child, I went to a carnival at the park. when we walked by the gaming area the chorus calls for our attention were captivating. Promising a “winner every time” if we just plunked down our quarter and tried our luck we just couldn’t lose. An hour later we not only failed to win but we departed penniless.
Do everything you can to resist the seductive voices of the Siren. Do not hand your life over to others. If you listen to the voices you will end a broken person. This is your life. Stand and Deliver.
3. If we fail to Stand and Deliver there are profound consequences. Your life is a valuable treasure. Please don’t waste it.
There are many sad results of living a life that fails to Stand and Deliver. Opportunities are lost. Valuable friendships fail to develop. Dreams are dashed. Bitterness sets in. We start to slowly and systematically cut ourself off from others. We can become emotionally crippled.
Years ago I was asked to speak at a graveside service for a family I had never met. Arriving very early at the cemetery I noticed a few people already stood by the casket. When I introduced myself I said, “I am sorry I never had the opportunity to meet your loved one.” Quickly, one of the group spoke up and muttered, “You didn’t miss much.” This is what happens when we fail to Stand and Deliver.
If you want the best for your life you, and you alone, must take control. It is a disastrous thing to float down the river of life allowing yourself to go wherever the current takes you.
There are four weapons that help you to Stand and Deliver. These are explored in this blog: speaking, thinking, writing, and reading. Come along with me as together we learn how to live life to the fullest.
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