No Hit - No Wonder

Most of us are familiar with the term, “One Hit Wonder.” Generally, when we hear this, we think of the music industry. An artist or group will produce a great number, it will be all the rage for a short time, and then only be heard periodically on the oldies stations. The individual or group is never heard from again. We sometimes wonder why there was never a follow-up hit. This phenomenon is not unique to music. There have been authors and painters who have had a single great success only to never be heard from again, and we may wonder, “What ever happened to...?”

It’s easy to be critical of one hit wonders. “They sure weren’t the Beetles.” “Not in Renoir’s league.” “We weren’t looking at John Gresham here.” “Just a flash- in-the-pan.” In reality, one hit wonders did make the effort. They gave it their best shot and as a result they did have at least one hit. They do not need to look back and say, “I thought about it but…”

Perhaps the greater wonder is the wonder of ‘if.’ It is the wonder of the individual who only wishes they had made the effort. “If I had tried I might have…” “I wish I would have but it’s too late now.” There is no hit and only the wonder of why or why not.

Fear of failure is often a reason why individuals never step out of their comfort zone and make the effort. They never fail because they never really try. Others give up before the effort can come to fruition. These individuals set the goal and begin the endeavor but lose heart or interest before they can realize the joy of success.

There are certain areas where success cannot be a reality due to a lack of ability. For example, at no time in my life could I have been a professional football quarterback. No amount of effort or desire on my part could have made it so. I lacked the gift to fulfill this dream. However, God has given me other gifts that He expects me to use to His glory and for the benefit of others. He has given all of us gifts and we have a choice as to what we do with them. We can be like the wise servants in Matthew 25 who beneficially used the talents given them by the Master and were rewarded or we can be like the foolish servant who took what was given to him, buried it, and was punished. The choice belongs to each individual. The right choices lead us to the wonder of His glory for ever.