day 200: The Power Of Numbers

Today is the 200th entry of Purposed worKING. I’m not sure that 200 really means much, but for me it does feel like a milestone number in as much as in business knowing and recognizing numbers is important and many times the difference between success and failure in a job. A CEO I once worked for prided himself on being the one person in the room each time someone would make a presentation, who would find the errant number that had been transposed or where the math just didn't work. He would usually take that opportunity to send the message of the importance of attention to detail and how if you don't have the numbers right how do you expect to gain support for a proposal? He was right. There is power in the the numbers. Using numbers and statistics to drive home a point or to illustrate a position is how business works. Numbers can be revealing and damaging at the same time. When the results come in and the numbers are bad, or good, emotions flow and decisions are made. When I was in radio, twice a year we would receive the Arbitron ratings book. These were the results of the Arbitron ratings surveys of listeners comparing radio stations against certain times of day, age groups, etc. Jobs were kept and careers were made or lost on the numbers and all the way down to the numbers on the right hand side of the decimal point. Tenths of a point changes could be the beginning of a trend and made a difference. What God has to say about numbers is just as important. Throughout the Bible God is always counting and measuring. The Old Testaments is full of statistics and numbers. An entire book of the Bible is dedicated to numbers and named just that; Numbers. In the New Testament we are taught many lessons using numbers. For example, we are expected to learn the numbers of addition of talents, the many times over of forgiveness, and the mystery and miracle of multiplying to feed the multitudes. And Jesus tells us something about his attention to the numbers for each of us in Matthew 10:30; "And the very hairs on your head are all numbered." All of this attention to numbers throughout the Bible is the same lesson that my former CEO used to teach. It is the use of numbers to stress the importance of attention to detail. And in God's case His attention to detail references the attention He puts on each one of us as part of His numbered flock. He is continually counting each of us to ensure we don't stray and He is counting on us to multiply His love and message to others. Yes, numbers do matter and yes, there is power in numbers. Today you will undoubtedly reach some point where you will be looking at numbers and making a decision or being informed for some purpose. When you see those numbers today, take a moment and reflect on God's attention to the detail of you and know that He is numbering you, at that moment, even down to the hairs on your head. And then turn around and spread that attention and love to those around you, counting along the way the number of times you are able to pass along an encouragement, a caring word, a smile, grace and forgiveness, and ultimately the loving example of our Father.

Reference: Matthew 10:30 (New Living Testament)